Asked about discontinued fare concessions, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says tickets are subsidised by 46% for all

The question, asked by MDMK subordinate Durai Vaikio, pertained to fare concessions to elder citizens and accredited journalists that person been discontinued. “It is precise unfortunate that the bid fare concessions which were extended to elder citizens and accredited journalists were discontinued during the Covid-19 pandemic and person inactive not been resumed adjacent aft 2 years. I had raised this contented connected 31st July earlier you. I would similar to cognize from the Hon. railway curate astir the Centre’s determination to reconstruct the same,” the MP from Tamil Nadu said.

Vaishnaw gave the aforesaid reply erstwhile Congress subordinate Praniti Shinde asked a question related to concessions for sportspersons. “The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has written to the Ministry of Railways connected respective occasions earlier and asked them for concessions specifically for sportspersons. This is not covered nether the disabled class oregon it is not covered nether your subsidies that you springiness to everybody. For assorted states also, the budget for Khelo India has been reduced. With specified a background, I would similar to inquire this question to the minister. Are you going to specifically springiness concessions to young radical who are participating successful sports, who are making our state proud, to question by railways,” she asked.

Vaishnaw replied: “I person mentioned earlier, erstwhile the outgo of providing the work is Rs 100, the terms that we are charging is astir Rs. 54, which amounts to 46 per cent subsidy to everybody who is travelling by railways connected an average, and the magnitude of this subsidy contiguous is to the tune of Rs 56,993 crore. The sportspersons are included successful that.”

Responding to a question asked by DMK subordinate T R Baalu, Vaishnaw said the NDA authorities has allocated Rs 6,362 crore per twelvemonth for the Railways successful Tamil Nadu arsenic compared to the UPA government’s Rs 879 crore per year.

“It is simply a immense jump. Unfortunately, retired of the 3,389 hectares of onshore required for improvement of the projects successful Tamil Nadu, the onshore acquired is lone 26 per cent, that is, 866 hectares. In respect to the onshore which has to beryllium acquired, we are continuously pursuing up with the authorities government. Our officials arsenic good arsenic I, astatine my level, are perpetually pursuing it with the authorities government. I petition the Hon.MP besides to prosecute with the authorities authorities to enactment this due to the fact that Railways and Defence are the 2 departments which person to beryllium retired of politics,” the curate said.