Nagpur : The Indian Rail Has claimed that it cannot restore concessions withdrawn during the Covid period as it has already paid over ₹5,902 crore for concession in the last four years, reports Vijay Pinjarkar,
However, it failed to mention that it earned a revenue of ₹6,113 crore during the same period from cancellation of tickets.
City-based advocate Sandeep Badna had filed a PIL seeking restoration of travel concessions for senior citizens and other categories, which were withdrawn during COVID-19. On December 14, 2022, a High Court Bench consisting of Judges Sunil Shukre and MW Chandwani disposed of a PIL setting a time limit of three months from the date of the order for taking a decision regarding travel concession to the passengers.
In response, the Railway Board made it clear that the government was already heavily subsidizing passenger services. In 2019-20, the subsidy was over ₹59,000 crore. This is an average of 53% for each person traveling in the railways.
“This subsidy continues for all passengers. In addition, concessions in excess of this subsidy amount continue for defined categories of Divyang, patients and students,” the Railway Board said.
However, in response to an RTI query by Badna, the Railway Board revealed that in the last four years, from 2019-2023, the Indian Railways earned Rs 6,112 crore from cancellations, RACs and waitlisted tickets.
In contrast, during the same period, the Railways had foregone a total revenue of ₹5,902 crore for all concessions, including those for senior citizens. Still, the Railways made a profit of over Rs 211 crore, says Badana.
Badna says, “It is clear that the Railway Board did not take into account the money earned by canceling tickets, claiming that it provides an average subsidy of 53% to each person traveling.”
“Hence, the act of not taking a decision regarding restoration of concessions to senior citizens and other categories is an attempt to maximize profit rather than a decision taken due to mounting losses,” Badna said.
However, it failed to mention that it earned a revenue of ₹6,113 crore during the same period from cancellation of tickets.
City-based advocate Sandeep Badna had filed a PIL seeking restoration of travel concessions for senior citizens and other categories, which were withdrawn during COVID-19. On December 14, 2022, a High Court Bench consisting of Judges Sunil Shukre and MW Chandwani disposed of a PIL setting a time limit of three months from the date of the order for taking a decision regarding travel concession to the passengers.
In response, the Railway Board made it clear that the government was already heavily subsidizing passenger services. In 2019-20, the subsidy was over ₹59,000 crore. This is an average of 53% for each person traveling in the railways.
“This subsidy continues for all passengers. In addition, concessions in excess of this subsidy amount continue for defined categories of Divyang, patients and students,” the Railway Board said.
However, in response to an RTI query by Badna, the Railway Board revealed that in the last four years, from 2019-2023, the Indian Railways earned Rs 6,112 crore from cancellations, RACs and waitlisted tickets.
In contrast, during the same period, the Railways had foregone a total revenue of ₹5,902 crore for all concessions, including those for senior citizens. Still, the Railways made a profit of over Rs 211 crore, says Badana.
Badna says, “It is clear that the Railway Board did not take into account the money earned by canceling tickets, claiming that it provides an average subsidy of 53% to each person traveling.”
“Hence, the act of not taking a decision regarding restoration of concessions to senior citizens and other categories is an attempt to maximize profit rather than a decision taken due to mounting losses,” Badna said.