Parliamentary panel asks railways to restart concession for senior citizens

The report comes after the Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in Parliament that re-starting concessions for senior citizens were not feasible for the government

The Parliamentary standing committee on railways has suggested the Indian Railways to re-commence senior citizens concession for both sleeper and 3AC passengers, according to a report released on August 4.

In the senior citizen category, women were eligible for a 50% concession of the total ticket cost, while men and transgender were eligible for only 40% of it. (Representative use)

The report comes after the Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in Parliament that re-starting concessions for senior citizens were not feasible for the government.

The ministry of railways had, given pandemic and Covid protocol, a withdrawn concession to all categories of passengers (except four categories of Divyangjan, 11 categories of patients and students) from March 20, 2020. Accordingly, at present, concession in passenger fares is not admissible to senior citizens.

The committee stated that since the Railways are heading towards normalcy, they should consider the concessions granted to different categories of passengers judiciously.

“The Committee desires that concession to senior citizens which was available in pre-COVID times may be reviewed and considered at least in Sleeper Class and III AC urgently so that the vulnerable and the genuinely needy senior citizens could avail the facility in these classes,” the report read.

On July 23, Vaishnaw, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, said the Indian Railways is already bearing more than 50% of the cost of travel, on an average, for all passengers, including senior citizens, on account of lower fare structure for passenger services.

“Apart from this, due to Covid-19, passenger earnings for the last two years are less in comparison to 2019-20. These have a long-term impact on the financial health of the railways. The cost of granting concessions weighs heavily on the railways. Hence, extending the scope of concessions to all categories of passengers, including senior citizens, is not desirable,” Vaishnaw had said.

However, after receiving criticism, railways officials had, on July 25, told HT that the Indian Railways was considering re-commencing concessions in train fares for senior citizens, but only for passengers travelling in 3AC and sleeper classes.

Another change being considered by the railways is the age eligibility of senior citizens to avail of fare concessions, which is being planned to be extended from 60 years to 70 years, the railway officials said. The eligibility age, pre-Covid, was 58 for women and 60 for male passengers.

In the senior citizen category, women were eligible for a 50% concession of the total ticket cost, while men and transgender were eligible for only 40% of it.