Railway concessions restored for disabled, patients and students

The Railway Board has allowed certain fare concessions to be restored to the disabled, patients and students post the COVID lockdown. The notification has already been issued to the zonal railways for implementation.

Top of the list are the disabled persons. Those orthopaedically challenged or paraplegic persons who cannot travel without escort for any purpose, those with intellectual disability, visual impairment of 90% and above are all eligible for 75% concession in second class sleeper, 3AC, AC chair car and first class. These persons are also eligible to travel with 50% concession in 1 AC and 2 AC as also in the season tickets. One escort is also permitted the same concession.

Persons with hearing and speech impairment is eligible for 50% concession in second class, sleeper and first class; 50% concession in season tickets along with one escort. Patients suffering from cancer, heart, kidney — going for periodical check up or treatment or surgery are also eligible for 75% concession in second lass, sleeper, first class, 3AC, AC chair char and 50% concession in first AC and second AC. An escort too is eligible for the same concession.

Persons suffering from haemophilia can avail 75% concession in second class sleeper, 3AC, AC chair car and first class; persons with TB and leprosy can avail 75% concession in second class sleeper and first class only. In both cases, an escort too is eligible for the same concession.

AIDS patients get 50% concession in second class without an escort. For Ostomy patients travelling for any purpose it is 50% in season tickets with an escort also eligible for the same concession. Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia are eligible for 50% concession in sleeper, AC chair car and 3AC/2AC. Same goes with those with Aplastic Anaemia going for treatment or check ups.

Students going to hometown or educational tours are eligible for 50% concession in second and sleeper class as also season tickets with those in the SC/ST category eligible for 75% concession. Girls upto graduation and boys upto 12^th standard are eligible for free second class month season ticket.

Government school students in rural areas can get 75% concession in second class for study tour once a year. Same goes for girl students from government schools in rural areas for national-level engineering or medical entrance examinations.

It is 50% concession for students appearing in UPSC main examination and Central Staff Selection Commission. Foreign students are eligible for 50% concession in second class and sleeper class as also research scholars upto the age of 35 years for journeys connected with their work. Cadets and marine engineers apprentices travelling between home and training ship get 50% concession in second class and sleeper class.