About 40 lakh senior citizens give up subsidy on rail journey

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the interactive session ‘Bharat Ki Baat Sabke Saath’ has lauded the efforts of senior citizens of India for giving up subsidy for travel in Indian Railways.  While interacting at the event in London on April 18, 2018, the PM recounted his days spent at Railway Station & the enriching experience he gathered there from.He also noted the remarkable progress made by Indian Railways in Infrastructure creation.

Indian Railways have registered a significant rise in the number of senior citizens who have chosen to give up the subsidy. From August 15, 2016, to March 31, 2018, about 40 lakh  senior citizens have voluntarily given up concessions resulting in Rs 77 crore  savings to Railways from this single initiative. Option for giving up of concession in passenger fare for senior citizens to the extent of 100% was already available.

The Indian Railways has popularized it along with giving the option to avail either the full concession provided to them on rail tickets or half of it, according to a PIB release.The scheme of “Give it up” senior citizen concession has been a great success. Indian Railways is thankful to the citizens, who have opted for giving up senior citizen concession.

At present, male senior citizens get 40 per cent while women get 50 per cent concession on the total fare. Though there are many categories of passengers including sportspersons and differently-abled persons who avail concessions, the major beneficiaries are in the senior citizen segment.