Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 2: Sainik Samaj Party Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (JKUT) President Colonel (Retd.) SS Pathania has expressed serious concern about withdrawal of concession on Railway tickets for senior citizens by the Union Government four years back and demanded to resume the facility.
He said senior citizens before attaining this status after completion of 60 years have greatly contributed towards the growth and development of the nation which needs to be acknowledged and appreciated by the Government.
Like other developed countries, India too has started a large number of schemes for senior and super senior citizens after attaining the age of 60, but withdrawal of concession on Railway tickets can be termed as a retrograde step.
On March 20, 2020, the Railway Ministry withdrew concessions in train fares offered to senior citizens after a countrywide lockdown was announced due to Covid-19. Before that, the Railways used to offer 50 per cent concession to female and 40 per cent to male and transgender senior citizen passengers on train fares.
Pathania said though the average age in India presently is 67 years, it is pertinent to mention that as per a study carried out only 8 percent of people in the world live beyond 65 years. Railway has announced in the media that a profit of Rs 5,800 cr in four years earned by the railways after withdrawal of concession to senior citizens.
He slammed such statements and urged Union Government and Railways to resume the concessions on Railway tickets to senior citizens at the earliest.
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