Pandemic hit all of us. It did not spare anyone in the world. From individuals to corporates to governments around the globe have been affected by it. It involved the pockets of all institutions in the world. So much drastic its effect has been, how can we expect our beloved Railways to not be affected by it?
Concessions offered by Railways
Based on different criteria, railways offer 51 different types of concessions to people. This includes senior citizens who enjoy up to 50 per cent rebate on tickets of all trains. Along with that, teachers, war widows, awardees, artists, sportspersons, farmers, medical professionals, and youths are among the beneficiaries of these concessions.
As the pandemic was unfolding during the initial days of March 2020, the Ministry had stopped the concessions to disincentivise people from travelling. It also had the additional purpose of saving the buck during the troubled days of lockdown.
No proposal to restore concessions, says the minister.
When the question was asked in Rajya Sabha, the Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnav, responded in written format.
“Due to the pandemic and the Covid protocol, concessions to all categories of passengers (except four categories of Divyangjan, 11 categories of patients and students) will not be available from March 20, 2020, until further notice. According to the minister, there is no plan to restore concessions at the present time.
So, when the concessions are restored, only time will tell.