Indian Railways Spent 1,994 Cr on Travel Concessions for 53 Categories of Passengers including Senior Citizens

Indian Railways extend travel concessions in passenger fare to 53 categories of passengers and the element of concession ranges from 10% to 100%. The details of revenue foregone due to concession given to various categories of passengers during the last three years are as under:-

     (Rs.in Crores) (Approximate)

Category	Year
	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19
Physically challenged persons	109.35	125.24	136.95
Patients	90.11	87.38	99.39
Senior Citizens	1375.61	1490.72	1635.60
Izzat MST	1.34	3.60	2.93
*Others	93.64	102.70	119.96
Total	1670.05	1809.64	1994.83

*Others include students, Press correspondents, sports persons, war widows, etc.

The category-wise growth of concessional passengers during the last three years are as under:-                                                                                                                   

    (in Actuals)

Category	Year
	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19
Persons with Disabilities	9836732	11779837	12206931
Patients	2524749	2404157	2649749
Senior Citizens	104478699	111093904	120183809
Izzat MST	2089100	5988250	5173800
*Others	138140595	161362885	156430878
Total	257069875	292629033	296645167

*Others include students, Press correspondents, sports persons, war widows, etc.

Indian Railways extend travel concessions in passenger fare to 11 categories of patients and the element of concession ranges from 25% to 100%. The details are as under:-

S. No.	CATEGORY OF PATIENTS	PERCENTAGE OF CONCESSION*
1	Cancer patients travelling alone or with an escort for treatment/periodic check-up.	75% in 2nd, 1st class & AC chair car100% in SL & 3AC50% in 1AC & 2ACone escort eligible for same element of concession (except in SL & 3AC where escort gets 75%)
2	Thalassemia patients travelling alone or with escort for treatment/periodic check-up	75% in 2nd, SL, 1st Class, 3AC, AC chair Car50% in 1AC and 2AC,One escort is also eligible for same element of concession
3	Heart patients travelling alone or with an escort for heart surgery
4	Kidney patients travelling alone or with an escort for kidney transplant Operation/Dialysis
5	Haemophilia Patients – severe & moderate form of disease – travelling alone or with an escort for treatment/periodical check up.	75% in 2nd, SL, 1st Class, 3AC, AC chair CarOne escort is also eligible for same element of concession
6	T.B./Lupas Valgaris patients travelling alone or with an escort for treatment/periodical check-up	75% in 2nd, SL and 1st ClassOne escort is also eligible for same element of concession
7	Non-infectious Leprosy patients – for treatment/periodical check-up.	75% in 2nd, SL and 1st ClassOne escort is also eligible for same element of concession
8	AIDS patients – for treatment/check-up at nominated ART Centres.	50% in 2nd Class
9	Ostomy patients – travelling for any purpose.	50% in MST & QSTOne escort is also eligible for same element of concession.
10	Sickle cell Anaemia – for treatment/periodical check-up	50% In SL, AC Chair Car, AC 3-tier and AC 2- tier classes
11	Aplastic Anaemia – for treatment/periodical check-up.	50% In SL, AC Chair Car, AC 3-tier and AC 2- tier classes.

*Concession is applicable only on basic fare

SL- Sleeper Class; AC – Air Condition; MST – Monthly Season Ticket, QST – Quarterly Season Ticket.

At present, there is no proposal to withdraw the concessions given to Indian senior citizens and other categories of passengers. However, in view of increase in revenue foregone year after year due to concessions being given to different categories of passengers, the following action have already been taken:-

1. Senior Citizens of foreign nationals and Non-resident Indians have been excluded from the senior citizen category for the purpose of concession in passenger fare.
2. No concession has been given in the newly introduced trains like Humsafar, Antyodaya, Gatimaan, Vande Bharat etc.
3. With effect from 22.07.2017, senior citizen passengers now can opt to give up 50% of the concession in addition to the existing option of giving up 100% concession.
4. No new concession has been given during the last 5 years.

This information was given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.