Rlys earned more from cancellation of tkts than losing in sops during Covid period: RTI

Nagpur: The Indian Railways has claimed it cannot restore concessions withdrawn during the Covid period since it has already forgone over ₹5,902 crore towards concession in the last four years, reports Vijay Pinjarkar.
However, it failed to mention that it earned ₹6,113 crore revenue during the same period from cancellation of tickets.
City lawyer Sundeep Badana had filed a PIL demanding restoration of travel concessions for senior citizens and other categories, which were withdrawn during Covid-19. On December 14, 2022, a high court bench consisting of justices Sunil Shukre and MW Chandwani disposed of the PIL setting a three-month deadline from the date of the order to take a decision regarding travel concessions to passengers.
In reply, the Railway Board made it clear that the government is already giving a big subsidy on passenger services. In 2019-20, the subsidy was over ₹59,000 crore. This amounts to 53% on average for every person travelling on the railways.
“This subsidy is continuing for all passengers. Further, concessions beyond this subsidy amount are continuing for defined categories of divyangs, patients, and students,” the Railway Board said.
However, in reply to a RTI query by Badana, the Railway Board revealed that in the last four years, from 2019-2023, the Indian Railways earned a whopping ₹6,112 crore from cancellation, RAC, and waitlisted tickets.
On the contrary, the total revenue the railways had forgone towards all concessions, including senior citizens, during the same period was ₹5,902 crore. “Still, the railways gained over ₹211 crore,” says Badana.
“It is clear that the Railway Board did not take into consideration the money earned from cancellation of tickets while claiming it provides a subsidy of 53% on an average to every person travelling,” says Badana.
“Hence, the act of not taking a decision regarding restoration of concessions for senior citizens and other categories is more of an attempt to maximize profits rather than a decision taken due to mounting losses,” said Badana.