Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed the ongoing discussion regarding the restoration of concessions on train tickets for senior citizens and media persons in India. Responding to queries about reinstating the pre-Covid concessions, the minister refrained from giving a direct reply and instead emphasized the existing concessions provided by Indian Railways to all passengers.
As of now, Indian Railways offers a 55% concession on train fares to every passenger. Before the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, the railway system provided a 50% concession on train fares specifically for senior citizens and government-accredited journalists. However, since the resumption of train operations in June 2022 after the Covid lockdown, these concessions have not been restored, leading to discussions and queries, including those raised in the parliament.
Addressing the issue, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, “If a train ticket to a destination costs ₹100, the Railway is charging only ₹45. It is giving ₹55 concession.” This statement suggests that the current fare structure already incorporates a substantial concession for all passengers, regardless of age or profession.
The discussion about restoring concessions gained traction as many senior citizens and journalists questioned the rationale behind not reinstating the previous concessions. Before the Covid-related disruptions, Indian Railways provided specific concessions to certain categories of passengers, including senior citizens and media persons. The concessions were aimed at offering financial relief to these groups.
During the Covid lockdown, when railway operations were completely shut, the concessions were temporarily halted. However, after the resumption of train services, the concessions were not reinstated, leading to concerns among affected groups.
In response to an RTI application filed by Chandra Shekhar Gaur from Madhya Pradesh, Indian Railways revealed that it earned approximately ₹2,242 crore from around 15 crore senior citizens during the financial year 2022-23. This information underscores the financial impact of concessions for senior citizens on the railway revenue.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that the Indian Railways continues to provide a substantial subsidy on passenger tickets, amounting to ₹59,837 crore during the financial year 2019-20. This subsidy, which averages 53% for every person traveling on the railways, is applicable to all passengers. Vaishnaw emphasized that this subsidy is ongoing and remains a significant concession for all railway passengers.
While senior citizens and journalists may not have the same specific concessions as before, the existing fare structure reflects an overall subsidy that benefits all passengers. The minister did not explicitly mention plans to reinstate the earlier concessions for senior citizens and media persons.
It is important to note that Indian Railways provides various concessions beyond the general subsidy. These concessions cater to specific categories, including Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjans), patients, and students. During the financial year 2022-23, approximately 18 lakh patients and their escorts availed themselves of special concessions provided by Indian Railways.
As discussions continue about concessions for different passenger categories, the focus remains on ensuring affordability, accessibility, and financial relief for diverse groups of travelers. The minister’s statement underlines the complexities of the fare structure and the ongoing efforts to balance concessions with the financial sustainability of Indian Railways.
