Women who are 58 to get concessional fare

CHENNAI: As announced by Mamata Banerjee, the union minister for railways, in her budget speech for 2011-12, it has been decided to reduce the minimum age for availing of concession from 60 years to 58 years for senior women citizens. However, the element of concession will continue to remain at 50 per cent, a press release here said on Tuesday. As per existing provisions, citizens of 60 years or above are eligible for concession in the basic fares of Mail/Express trains and all inclusive fares of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi trains. The element of concession is 30 per cent for senior men citizens and 50 per cent for senior women citizens. It has also been decided to increase the concession element for men from 30 per cent to 40 per cent. The minimum age will, however, remain 60 years for men.The concession will be admissible on tickets purchased on and after June 1. In the case of tickets already issued for travel on and after June 1, refund of difference of fares will not be admissible.Ministry of railways has decided to extend the concession to family of accredited press correspondents (spouse/companion and dependent children up to 18 years) to twice in a financial year. As per the existing rules, 50 per cent concession is admissible in all classes in basic fares of Mail/Express trains and in fares of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi trains to accredited press correspondents for unlimited travel on bonafide press work. The same concession is also admissible to spouse/companion and dependent children up to 18 years, while travelling with him/her once in a financial year. The facility will be effective from June 1, the release said.