Rise in seniors availing rebate

An alarm bell is ringing in the ministry of railways on account of steep rise in senior citizens claiming concessions on ticket booking in trains. The railways has found out that there has been a 28 per cent rise in numbers of senior citizens claiming concessions in the last three years.

The railways has also noted that while 17 per cent of those declaring themselves as senior citizens were not claiming the 50 per cent concession in ticket bookings in all classes of travel in 2014-15, the last financial year (2015-16) saw only three per cent not opting for the concessions. As per an internal note accessed by this newspaper, 39.60 lakh senior citizens had claimed concessions in 2013-14, which rose to 43 lakhs in 2014-15, and 46 lakhs in 2015-16.

“There is a sharp rise in the number of senior citizens claiming concessions. We note that the life expectancy in India has gone up and it may be one of the reasons for the rise in those claiming concessions. But we are also coming across cases where people not eligible are also booking tickets under senior citizen category to take the benefits of 50 per cent concession as well as the quota for berths earmarked for the elders,” said a senior official of the railway board.

Senior citizen booking of tickets with concession is not verified and the passengers have to prove their age by showing their valid proof on board when demanded by the TTE (travelling ticket examiner). “We understand that some people are taking chances that they may not be asked for the proof of their age, and in case they are caught, they are ready to pay the fine and charges,” added the official.

Incidentally, the railways incurs a financial burden to the tune of about Rs 25,000 crore each year on account of different categories of concessions offered by the railways. Male passengers of 60 and above and female of 58 and above are counted as senior citizens by the railways.

The railways hopes that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi spares some time to look into the financial woes of the railways and replicate the “Give it Up” campaign as in the case of the LPG subsidy so that only the needy passengers avail of the concessions in the trains.

“Now that the doctors of the Central government retire at 65, and same is the case with teachers and college professors, besides judicial officials, there is a strong case that those who are financially well-off are also benefiting from the concessions given by the railways,” said the official.