Lok Sabha Question No. 230 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-07
Subject: Senior Citizen Concession
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru, S. Venkatesan, Rajmohan Unnithan, Pallab Lochan Das

## 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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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (i) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.230  BY  SHRI  KANUMURU  RAGHU  RAMA KRISHNA RAJU, SHRI S. VENKATESAN, SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN AND SHRI  PALLAB  LOCHAN  DAS  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 07.12.2022 REGARDING SENIOR CITIZEN CONCESSION (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  1 st   AC,  2 nd   AC,  3 rd   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.

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