GUWAHATI, May 24 � An array of schemes offered by the Indian Railways for the common people has remained unused or ignored by the people of the North-east, some of whom are not even aware that those exist. Unlike in most other Indian States, the schemes have failed to attract the desired response from people which they target, NF Railway sources told The
Assam Tribune.
The public might yet be unaware that students going on educational trips by the railways are eligible for discounted tickets. In general category, they can purchase tickets at 50 per cent of the actual cost in Second Class travel, while students belonging to the Scheduled castes and Tribes can have the same tickets with a discount of 75 per cent.
In keeping with its goal of inclusive growth, the Indian Railways now offer 75 per cent rebate on Second Class travel to students of rural areas who wish to take an educational trip once a year. For students of rural areas who wish to take medical and engineering entrance tests, there is also the provision to issue tickets with 75 per cent rebate in Second Class travel.�
Tickets at a low cost are also available to youths seeking to take SSC and UPSC tests, but with conditions. Such candidates are eligible for a 50 per cent rebate in Second Class travel provided their journey is within a distance of 300 km.
In order to enjoy the said facilities, the passenger must have her or his paperwork ready. Those should clearly support the purpose of the journey. The details of necessary papers can be acquired from major stations.
According to Nripendra Bhattacharyya, PRO, NF Railway, although the provisions have been there for some time, not many youths have availed them in Assam. He said that most major stations have the relevant information for anyone interested to know about the details of the schemes.
Although not widely circulated among the public, the Railways have come up with schemes to support the elderly, the seriously ill and the physically challenged. Cancer patients, since recent times, can have 100 per cent discount in train travel for treatment with additional concession on the ticket of a single attendant in Sleeper Class and III tier AC.
Likewise, support has been made available to heart patients, and people suffering from TB who are seeking treatment, details of which can be acquired from major train stations.
However, in all the cases, the patients or attendants must furnish necessary certificates from reputed health institutions where they were diagnosed and referrals wherever applicable.
Another provision that has not been much used by people in the NFR Division is a monthly season ticket scheme available to poor people. Although there exists a provision to have monthly season tickets for Rs 25 under the Izzat scheme, people are yet to embrace it as it has been done in many other parts of India.
