Old Is Gold: Over 32 Lakh Senior Citizens Give Up Concession, Save Rs 55.12 Crore For Indian Railways

After the launch of ‘Give Up ’ scheme by Indian Railways more than 32 lakh senior citizens have given up their fare concessions, which has as a result saved Rs 55.12 crore in costs, as reported by New Indian Express.

Indian Railways launched the scheme in July last year. While booking, online senior citizens are given three options of 100 per cent, 50 per cent and no concession.

The Railway ministry provided the data on an RTI request shows that 32.12 lakh senior citizens had given up fare concessions since the beginning to June 2018.

The Railway offers 53 concessions in categories such as differently-abled people, students, defence personnel and more. Annually subsidy amounts to Rs 1,800 crore, concessions to senior citizen is the highest with Rs 1,300 crore. The railways do not maintain data of passengers opting for full-fare tickets in other categories.

“I do not avail the senior citizen concession as I can afford the full fare. I am of the opinion that the foregone subsidy can be used by the government to help people who actually need it,” told Gireesh Banakar, a retired government employee.

Men above 60 years of age and women above 58 are given 40 per cent and 50 per cent fare concession respectively, on the base fare.