Delhi Chief Minister urges Prime Minister to restore senior citizen concessions in Indian Railways
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03-04-2023 : Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the restoration of fare concessions for senior citizens offered by the Indian Railways. Kejriwal stated that the cost of extending the concession would be Rs. 1600 crore and that the government’s budget of Rs. 45 lakh crore made this amount insignificant. He further added that not spending the amount would not make the government rich and that the cancellation of the concession sends a message to senior citizens that the government does not care for them. He emphasized that no society or country can progress without the blessings of the elderly. Kejriwal’s government has arranged free religious pilgrimage for senior citizens, who have contributed to Delhi’s progress in all areas.
The Centre discontinued the concessions for senior citizens in 2020 to discourage public movement and control the spread of COVID-19. However, a parliamentary standing committee headed by BJP MP Radha Mohan Singh recommended the resumption of fare concessions for senior citizens. The Indian Railways used to offer a 40% discount for males aged 60 years or above and a 50% discount for females above 58 years in fares for all classes of trains. The concessions were withdrawn on March 20, 2020. The standing committee suggested that the concessions be resumed, at least in Sleeper Class and 3A Class, for the vulnerable and genuinely needy citizens. Despite this, the Railways currently has no plans to resume the concession.
