Indian Railways Spent 1,994 Cr on Travel Concessions for 53 Categories of Passengers including Senior Citizens

Indian Railways extend travel concessions in passenger fare to 53 categories of passengers and the element of concession ranges from 10% to 100%. The details of revenue foregone due to concession given to various categories of passengers during the last three years are as under:-

     (Rs.in Crores) (Approximate)

Category Year 
 2016-172017-182018-19
Physically challenged persons109.35125.24136.95
Patients90.1187.3899.39
Senior Citizens1375.611490.721635.60
Izzat MST1.343.602.93
*Others93.64102.70119.96
Total1670.051809.641994.83
     

*Others include students, Press correspondents, sports persons, war widows, etc.

The category-wise growth of concessional passengers during the last three years are as under:-                                                                                                                   

    (in Actuals)

Category Year 
 2016-172017-182018-19
Persons with Disabilities98367321177983712206931
Patients252474924041572649749
Senior Citizens104478699111093904120183809
Izzat MST208910059882505173800
*Others138140595161362885156430878
Total257069875292629033296645167

*Others include students, Press correspondents, sports persons, war widows, etc.

Indian Railways extend travel concessions in passenger fare to 11 categories of patients and the element of concession ranges from 25% to 100%. The details are as under:-

S. No.CATEGORY OF PATIENTSPERCENTAGE OF CONCESSION* 
1Cancer patients travelling alone or with an escort for treatment/periodic check-up. 75% in 2nd, 1st class & AC chair car100% in SL & 3AC50% in 1AC & 2ACone escort eligible for same element of concession (except in SL & 3AC where escort gets 75%)  
2Thalassemia patients travelling alone or with escort for treatment/periodic check-up 75% in 2nd, SL, 1st Class, 3AC, AC chair Car50% in 1AC and 2AC,One escort is also eligible for same element of concession   
3Heart patients travelling alone or with an escort for heart surgery 
4Kidney patients travelling alone or with an escort for kidney transplant Operation/Dialysis 
5Haemophilia Patients – severe & moderate form of disease – travelling alone or with an escort for treatment/periodical check up. 75% in 2nd, SL, 1st Class, 3AC, AC chair CarOne escort is also eligible for same element of concession 
6T.B./Lupas Valgaris patients travelling alone or with an escort for treatment/periodical check-up 75% in 2nd, SL and 1st ClassOne escort is also eligible for same element of concession 
7Non-infectious Leprosy patients – for treatment/periodical check-up. 75% in 2nd, SL and 1st ClassOne escort is also eligible for same element of concession 
8AIDS patients – for treatment/check-up at nominated ART Centres. 50% in 2nd Class
9Ostomy patients – travelling for any purpose. 50% in MST & QSTOne escort is also eligible for same element of concession.
10Sickle cell Anaemia – for treatment/periodical check-up 50% In SL, AC Chair Car, AC 3-tier and AC 2- tier classes 
11Aplastic Anaemia – for treatment/periodical check-up. 50% In SL, AC Chair Car, AC 3-tier and AC 2- tier classes.
     

*Concession is applicable only on basic fare

SL- Sleeper Class; AC – Air Condition; MST – Monthly Season Ticket, QST – Quarterly Season Ticket.

At present, there is no proposal to withdraw the concessions given to Indian senior citizens and other categories of passengers. However, in view of increase in revenue foregone year after year due to concessions being given to different categories of passengers, the following action have already been taken:-

  1. Senior Citizens of foreign nationals and Non-resident Indians have been excluded from the senior citizen category for the purpose of concession in passenger fare.
  2. No concession has been given in the newly introduced trains like Humsafar, Antyodaya, Gatimaan, Vande Bharat etc.
  3. With effect from 22.07.2017, senior citizen passengers now can opt to give up 50% of the concession in addition to the existing option of giving up 100% concession.
  4. No new concession has been given during the last 5 years.

This information was given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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