Senior Citizen Concession to Railway Passengers – Recommendations of Standing Committee

Senior Citizen Concession to Railway Passengers – Standing Committee on Railways has advised to review and consider concession to senior citizens at least in sleeper class and 3AC

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 230
TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.12.2022

SENIOR CITIZEN CONCESSION

230. SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU:
SHRI S. VENKATESAN:
SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:
SHRI PALLAB LOCHAN DAS:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Parliamentary Standing Committee in its report on 4th August 2022 has recommended for restoration of senior citizen concession to railway passengers for sleeper class and third AC passengers urgently as passenger traffic is nearing normalcy;

(b) if so, the reasons for non-resumption of senior citizen concessions for Railways despite the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic;

(c) whether it is true that the age limit of the senior citizens has increased from 60 years to 70 years and the reservation process is restricted to second sleeper class only, if so, the reasons therefor;

(d) the Government’s assessment of how discontinued concessions is likely to affect the number of senior citizens travelling;

(e) whether the Government is aware of how this decision is likely to impact the savings of senior citizens and the if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether private Airlines are also extending senior citizen concession to air passengers;

(g) if so, whether the Railways will accept the recommendations of the Standing Committee and restore passenger concession to senior citizens to increase passenger earnings in view of 63 lakh senior citizens who avoided journey without such concessions;

(h) whether the Government is also planning to resume concession fare Railway tickets for students and sportspersons as well and if so, the details thereof; and

(i) whether the concession is to be restored to reserved and unreserved second class passengers also and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (i): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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(a): Standing Committee on Railways has advised to review and consider concession to senior citizens at least in sleeper class and 3AC.

(b): Government gave subsidy of ₹59,837 crore on passenger tickets in 2019-20. This amounts to concession of 53% on an average, to every person, travelling on Railways. This subsidy is continuing for all passengers. Further concessions beyond this subsidy amount are continuing for many categories like Divyangjans, students and patients.

(c): No such instruction has been issued.

(d) & (e): Railways operate different types of train services like Garib Rath, Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Gatimaan, Tejas, Humsafar, Mail/Express, Ordinary passenger etc. Apart from this different classes 1st AC, 2nd AC, 3rd AC, AC Chair Car, sleeper class, second class reserved/Unreserved etc are available on different fare structures for the use of passengers including Senior citizens who can travel as per their preferences.

(f): Directorate General of Civil Aviation has not issued any guideline/ circular with regard to providing any concession to senior citizens in air travel.

(g) to (i): As already mentioned in the reply to Part (b) above.