Clarification regarding relaxation of purchase of air tickets from authorized Travel Agents for the purpose of LTC

Clarification regarding relaxation of purchase of air tickets from authorized Travel Agents for the purpose of LTC.

 

Latest DoPT Orders 2020

No. 43020/21 2016-Estt (A.IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi-110001
Dated: February 19, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Clarification regarding relaxation of purchase of air tickets from authorized Travel Agents for the purpose of LTC.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s o.M. No. 31011/412014- Estt.A-IV dated 19.06.2014 and subsequent o.M. regarding the procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC and to say that as per the extant instructions, whenever a Government servant claims LTC by air, he/she is required to book the air tickets directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the services of the authorized travel agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & company, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC, (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Est(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey(s).

Also check: LTC for New Joining Central Government Employees - FAQ

2. In this regard, many cases pertaining to the period of 2010-13 have been reported in this Department where Government employees had traveled on LTC by air to visit Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and North-East Region (NER) under the special dispensation scheme after booking the tickets through private travel agents due to lack of awareness of rules at that time. It has been observed that claims of these Government servants were initially settled by the administrative authorities. However, after few years when the audit authorities noticed the lapses, objections were raised on these claims and recoveries were ordered in such cases along with charging of penal interest. In view of the financial hardships caused to these individuals, huge demands are being received from Ministries/ Departments and JCM for grant of one time relaxation in these cases.

The matter has been considered in this Department in consultation with Joint consultative Machinery - staff side and Department of Expenditure. It has been decided to grant one time relaxation to such Government employees who had availed LTC by air to visit J&K and NER during the period of January. 2010 - June. 2014 and booked the tickets through travel agents other than ‘M/s Balmer Lawrie & company’, ‘M/s Ashok travels & Tours’ and 'IRCTC' due to lack of awareness of rules. such relaxation shall be granted with the concurrence of Financial Advisor of the concerned Ministry/ Department. Fulfillment of fare limit of LTC-80 and other LTC conditions prevalent at the time of performance of journey by the Government servants may be ascertained before granting such relaxations. The Administrative Ministries/ Departments shall also ensure that only those cases are considered for relaxation where it is established that bonafide mistake has occured and no undue benefit has accrued to/obtained by the Government servant.

Further, in this regard, it is reiterated that the extant instructions regarding booking of air tickets on LTC journey through authorized modes should be strictly complied with. It is seen that despite reiterating the above provisions from time to time, this Department is still in receipt of cases seeking relaxation for booking of tickets from private travel agents on the grounds of lack of awareness of rules and work-exigencies. Therefore, Ministries/ Departments are again advised to ensure wide circulation of this Department’s instructions issued vide O.M. No. 310111212018-Estt.A-IV dated 10.12.2018, among their employees. Henceforth, the cases seeking relaxation on the plea of lack of awareness of rules and on grounds of exigencies of work shall not be considered by this Department. Only those cases, where the Administrative Ministry/ Department will certify the fact that bonafide mistake has occured and undue hardship is being caused to the Government servant, shall be considered by this Department.

(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

To
The Secretaries
All Ministries/ Departments of Government of India
(As per the standard list)

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Indian Railways provides Divyangjans with various facilities to make their services more convenient and accessible for differently abled passengers

Indian Railways provides Divyangjans with various facilities to make their services more convenient and accessible for differently abled passengers

Ministry of Railways

Indian Railways offers various facilities for Divyangjans to make its services more convenient and accessible for differently-abled passengers

Specially designed coaches, concessional tickets and reservation quota are some of the facilities offered

Railway stations made more accessible by wheelchairs, battery operated vehicles and Yatri Mitra Sewa

03 DEC 2019

Encouraged by Accessible India Campaign launched in 2015 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, Indian Railways have been providing facilities/services to Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) so as to enable them a barrier free transportation across the Railway network. To make its services more convenient and accessible to differently-abled passengers (Divyangjans) at railway stations, Indian Railways offers the following facilities for the Divyangjans.

Also check: Facility for Disabled and Senior Citizens on Trains and at Railway Stations

•     Specially designed coaches known as SLRD coaches with wider entrance doors to allow a wheel chair to enter, wider aisles, modified toilet and with 4 berths, the lower two for persons with disability and upper berths for attendants have been attached in almost all Mail/ express trains except Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Jan shatabdi Express trains and Duranto Express trains.
•     Instructions have been issued that in all mail/ express trains, the SLRD coaches should be treated as unreserved coaches earmarked for exclusive use of persons with disability. In case of Garib Rath express trains which are fully reserved trains, these coaches are treated as reserved for booking by persons with disability (Divyangjans) travelling on the prescribed certificate on payment of full fare of 3 AC class of Garib Rath Express on first come first served basis.
•     Separate counters are earmarked at various Passenger Reservation System (PRS) centres for dealing with the reservation requisitions received from Persons with Disability and Senior Citizens, if the average demand per shift is not less than 120 tickets wherever feasible. ln case there is no justification for earmarking of an exclusive counter for any of these categories of persons including handicapped persons, one or two counters depending upon the total demand are earmarked for dealing with the reservation requests for all these categories of persons.
•     A reservation quota of four sleeper class berths and two berths in 3 AC has been earmarked in all trains running on non-suburban sections for persons with disability performing their journey on concessional ticket. The person accompanying the person with disability as escort is also allotted the berth out of this quota.
•     Instructions have also been issued that in the tickets issued through PRS, to extent feasible, one lower berth should be allotted to person with disability and the person accompanying the person with disability as escort should be allotted middle/upper berth near the person with disability subject to availability of accommodation.
•     After departure of train, if there are vacant lower berths available in the train and if any person with disability booked on the authority of concessional ticket, who has been allotted upper/middle berth, approaches for allotment of vacant lower berths, the Conductor/Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) has been authorized to allot the vacant lower berth to them after making necessary entries in the chart.
•     The facility to book concessional e-tickets online using the photo-identity card issued by Railways has also been introduced to facilitate persons with disability.

As per Railway rules, concession in fares is admissible to four categories of Persons with Disability. The names of these four categories, and the element concession admissible, are as under :-

To make accessibility better, the following facilities are being served currently at stations:-

•     Wheel chair on platforms: Around 7000 wheelchairs have been provided at more than 5400 railway stations. The wheelchairs are provided by Railways and are given to attendant of the Divyangjan absolutely ‘free of cost’ to escort them from and to the trains. However, when attendants are not willing or available, Sahayaks can be hired on nominal rates to escort the Divyangjans.
•     In addition a scheme of Yatri Mitra sewa is also available, wherein a sahayak provided by IRCTC assists the person with disability by providing wheel chair cum porter services at major stations. The Yatri Mitra seva service can be booked on IRCTC e-ticketing website and 139 (IVRS and SMS) or through a mobile.
•     Battery operated Vehicle (BOV) vehicles are available at some stations and Powers have further been delegated to Zonal Railways for provision of BOV free of charge for person with disability through CSR route/commercial publicity route and through chargeable route.
•     In addition to above, it has been decided to provide following short term facilities for persons with disability at stations (Comprehensive instructions for passenger amenities and user facilities at stations dated 09.04.2018):

1.     Provision of standard ramp with railing for barrier free entry.
2.     Earmarking of at least two parking lots for vehicle used by disabled persons.
3.     Provision of non-slippery walkway from parking lot to building.
4.     Provision of signage of appropriate visibility.
5.     Provision of at least one drinking water tap suitable for use by a disabled person.
6.     Provision of at least one toilet on the ground floor.
7.     “May I help you” booth.

•     In the long term the following facilities are being planned for persons with disability at Non-suburban Grade (NSG)1 to NSG 4 category stations:

1.     Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer.
2.     Engraving on edges of platforms.

An Executive Director level committee is also formed to frame guidelines regarding Accessibility standards over Indian Railways. ED /Station development is the convenor of the committee.

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Indian Railways reaffirms its commitment to the cause of empowering of Divyangjans through the ‘Accessible India Campaign’.

PIB

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Handing over of Retiring room / dormitory to IRCTC

IRCTC

Government of India

Ministry of Railways

Railway Board

No.2005/TGIV/35/ policy/RR

New Delhi dated; 02.05.2019

Pr, Chief Commercial Managers,
AII Zonal Railways.

[Commercial Circular No. 24 /2019)

Sub: Handing over of Retiring room / dormitory to IRCTC.

Ref: [i] Board’s letter no. 2005/TGIV/ 35/policy /RR dated 23.09.2016
(ii) IRCTC’s letter no. 2016 /IRCTC/ LCS/ Retiring Room dated 17.01.2019 & 22.04.2019

Attention is invited to Board’s letter of even no. dated 23.09.2016 (Commercial Circular No. 50/2016) stipulating the policy guidelines to be followed for handing over of Retiring Roorns / Dormitories and their management to IRCTC.

As per clause 1.1 of CC No 50/2016 – “The phase wise plan prepared and submitted by IRCTC will be approved by Ministry of Railways.in consultation with Zonal Railways, The NIT shall be published by IRCTC after getting due approval from Railway Board.”At present, 32 stations have already been approved for handing over of retiring room to IRCTC.

It has, now; been decided that in order to speed up the process of up-gradation of retiring rooms, Principal Chief Commercial Manager {on recommendation of division) shall have powers for handing over of any retiring room directly to IRCTC with the persoilal approval of General Manger. Board’s office to be informed by IRCTC before tendering. While selecting stations for handing over Retiring Rooms to IRCTC, zones should ensure that there is no overlap with staions already being proposed for redevelopment through IRSDC. AIso, additional expenditure from divisional fund (PH-53] should be stopped at such selected Retiring Rooms.

It is also advised that Zonal Railways may expedite the process of signing the pending agreements with IRCTC for all remaining stations and provide the details for calculation of MLF, Sketch maps, etc. to IRCTC as per existing guidelines.

This issues with the approval of competent authority.

(Samir Kumar)

Director Traffic Commercial (G)

Railway Board

Source: NFIR

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40% concession in passenger fare to Transgender Senior Citizens whose age are 60 and above

40% concession in passenger fare to Transgender Senior Citizens

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

(Commercial Circular No.74 of 2018)
No.TC-II/2161/2015/SRC/Policy/3

New Delhi, dated 14.12.2018

Principal Chief Commercial Managers,
All Zonal Railways.

Sub: 40% concession in passenger fare to Transgender Senior Citizens whose age are 60 and above.

Ref: (I) Commercial Circular No.18 of 2011 dated 13.05.2011
(ii) Commercial Circular No. of 52 of 2016 dated 29.06.2016

As per S.No.38 of IRCA Coaching Tariff No. 26 Part-I (Vol.II) concession is admissible to Men Senior Citizens of the age of 60 years and above and 58 years & above in case for Women–Senior citizens of Indian Nationality. The element of concession is 40% for Men Senior Citizens and 50% for Women Senior Citizens.

2. As an interim measure till finalization of uniform policy by Ministry of Law & Justice, it has now been decided to grant of 40% concession in passenger fare to Transgender (T) Senior Citizens of the age of 60 years and above.

3. This will be implemented with effect from 01.01.2019.

4. Other terms and conditions shall remain the same.

5. CRIS & IRCTC may make necessary changes in the software.

6. Necessary instructions shall be issued to the all concerned.

7. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

(Shelly Srivastava)
Director Passenger Marketing
Railway Board

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DoPT: Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC- compliance of instructions regarding.

DoPT: Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC- compliance of instructions regarding.

No. 31011/2/2018-Estt (A.IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi-10001
Dated: December 10, 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC - compliance of instructions regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. No. 31011/5/2014-Estt.A-IV dated 24.09.2014, 23.09.2015 and 21.08.2017 on the procedure for booking of air tickets on LTC and to say that as per the extant instructions, whenever a Government servant claims LTC by air, he/she is required to book the air tickets directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the services of the authorized travel agents viz. 'M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company', 'M/s Ashok Travels & Tours' and 'IRCTC' (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Est(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey(s).

2. In this regard, it is observed that despite reiterating the above instructions from time to time, this Department still continues to receive numerous references from various Ministries/Departments and individuals seeking relaxation for booking of air tickets for the purpose of LTC through private travel agents. In most of the cases, the common reasons cited by the Government employees are lack of awareness of the rules and work exigencies.

3. Therefore, all the Ministries/Departments are advised to ensure wide circulation and strict compliance of the guidelines stated in para 1 of this OM. This point may also be emphasized by the Administration whenever any advance is sought or intention to avail LTC is conveyed by the Government servant. It is stated that henceforth only those cases, where it is established that bonafide mistake has occured and the Administrative Ministry/Department is satisfied that undue hardship is being caused to the Government servant, shall be considered by this Department for relaxation provided that the information is received in the Proforma enclosed along with supporting documents.
End.: As above

(Surya Na ayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

To
The Secretaries
All Ministries/Departments of Government of India
(As per the standard list)

Source: DoPT

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Guidelines on Air Travel on Official Tours - Purchase of air ticket from authorized agent

Guidelines on Air Travel on Official Tours - Purchase of air ticket from authorized agent

No. 19024/2212017-E.IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 19th July, 2017

Office Memorandum

Subject:  Guidelines on Air Travel on Official Tours - Purchase of air ticket from authorized agent.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Departments' O.M. No. 19024/1/2005-E.IV dated 24.03.2006, O.M. No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 16.09.2010 and O.M. No. 19024/1/2012-E.IV dated 09.07.2013 regarding guidelines on Air travel. As per these guidelines, in all cases of Air Travel where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, Air Tickets may be purchased directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/office/website of Airlines) and if needed, by utilizing the services of three Authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited (BLCL), M/s Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT) and Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC).

This Department is receiving a large number of proposals from various Ministries/Departments seeking ex-post-facto relaxation of the prescribed procedure for purchase of air tickets from authorized travel agents only.

The matter has been reconsidered in this Department. All Ministries/Departments are again directed to:

(i) Ensure strict compliance of extant guidelines for purchase of air ticket directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/office/website of Airlines) or from three authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC only by all officials/offices under their control. Henceforth relaxation on account of ignorance/unawareness of these guidelines will not be considered by this Department.

(ii) In case of non-availability of authorized agent at a particular place, ticket may be booked from website of Airlines or web portal of Balmer Lawrie & Company Ltd., M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC.

(iii) In respect of Non-officials of Committees/Boards/Panels, the concerned Ministry/ Department have to mention in the meeting notice that the Non-official Member has to purchase the ticket from authorized travel agent only otherwise his claim will not be settled by that Ministry/Department.

(iv) All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, etc. have to widely circulate this O.M. in all offices including attached/subordinate offices/ autonomous bodies under their control with specific instructions to Heads of Departments concerned for strict compliance of these guidelines. Non-compliance of these guidelines by Ministries/Departments will be treated as lapse on the part of the concerned Ministry/Department.

(Nirmala Dev)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

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Applicability of Goods and Service tax (GST) on Static Catering Services on IR

Applicability of Goods and Service tax (GST) on Static Catering Services on IR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. 2012/TG.III/631/2

New Delhi Dated 01.12.2017

The General Managers
All Indian Railways

The CMD/IRCTC
New Delhi

CMD/KRCL,
Navi Mumbai

(Commercial Circular No. 79 of 2017)

Sub: Applicability of Goods and Service tax (GST) on Static Catering Services on IR.

Ref: (i) Commercial Circular No. 78 of 2012 dated 21.12.2012
(ii) Commercial Circular No. 44 of 2017 dated 29.06.2017
(iii) Commercial Circular No. 48 of 2017 dated 30.06.2017
(iv) Board's letter No. 2016/AC-II/01/Misc./GST (RBS No. 164/20117) dtd 20.11.2017
(v) Board's letter no. 2017/TG-III/631/6 dated 18/09/2017.

Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) vide notification No. 11/2017 - Central Tax(Rate) dated 28.06.2017 had issued GST Rate for supply of food and beverage services. Further, vide Notification no. 46/2017-Centrl Tax (Rate) dated 14.11.2017, the aforesaid notification has been amended. The issue of implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST) on Catering Services on Indian Railway has been examined in consultaion of Finance Commercial Dte. of Railway Board and accordingly, following are advised:-

1. The chargeable GST on catering services in state in catering units / parliament canteen is @ 5% with no Input Tax Credit (ITC).

2. The above GST on catering charges through Static units is applicable w.e.f. 15.11.2017.

3. The rates notified vide Commercial Circular No. 78 of 2012 will remain unchanged after applicability of GST but are now inclusive of GST @ 5% for static catering units.

This issues with the concurrence of Finance Dte. of Railway Board.

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.

sd/-
(Smita Rawat)
Executive Director (T&C)
Railway Board

Authority: www.indianrailways.gov.in

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Guidelines on Air Travel on Government Expenses - Purchase of Tickets from Authorised Agent

Guidelines on Air Travel on Government Expenses - Purchase of Tickets from Authorised Agent: MHA OM

No.19011/01/2015-Fin.II(Pt.)
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
North Block, New Delhi,

Dated November 03, 2017

OFFICE-MEMORANDUM

Sub: Guidelines on Air Travel on Government Expenses - Purchase of Tickets from Authorised Agent- reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to GoI 14 below SR 48-8 wherein provision has been made that in all cases of air travel, where Govt. of India bears the cost of air passage, the officials have to travel only by Air India. Further, GoI 16 below the rule stipulates for purchase of air ticket directly from Airlines (Booking Counter or website of Airlines) or by utilizing the services of the authorised agents viz. M/s. Balmer Lawrie Co., M/s Ashoka Travels & Tours and IRCTC. Department of Expenditure, M/o. Finance time and again also stressed the need of travel only by Air India and purchase of air tickets from permissible source. Recent in this row is their OM No. 19024/22/2017E-IV dated 18th July, 2017 (copy enclosed for ready reference).

2. Despite this MHA is frequently in receipt of proposals for relaxation of above rules citing reason of ignorance/unawareness of these guidelines. Department of Expenditure has clarified to MHA that henceforth relaxation on account of ignorance/unawareness of the guidelines would not be considered by them in future.

3. It is, accordingly, stressed upon all the offices/Division under the ambit of Integrated Finance Division of MHA to scrupulously follow the guidelines relating to air travel.

Encl.: A/a.

(Kumar Manoj Kashyap)
Under Secretary & FA (Fin-II)

Source: www.mha.gov.in

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Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC - clarification

DoPT Order: Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC

“Non-entitled Government servants travelling by air on LTC and claiming entitled rail fare, the condition of booking the air tickets through authorised travel agents viz. 'M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company', 'M/s Ashok Travels & Tours' and 'IRCTC' may not be insisted upon”

No.31011/5/2014-Estt (A.IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dated: August 21, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC - clarification reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. of even no. dated 23.09.2015 on the subject noted above and to say that as per the extant instructions, whenever a Government servant claims LTC by air, he/she is required to book the air tickets directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the services of the authorized travel agents viz. 'M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company', 'M/s Ashok Travels & Tours' and 'IRCTC' (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Est(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey(s).

2. In this regard, references are received in this Department seeking clarification whether the aforesaid condition of booking the tickets through authorized travel agents needs to be followed in cases where a non-entitled Government servant travels by air on LTC and claims the entitled train fare.

3. The matter has been examined in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance and it is hereby clarified that in case of non-entitled Government servants travelling by air on LTC and claiming entitled rail fare, the condition of booking the air tickets through authorised travel agents viz. 'M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company', 'M/s Ashok Travels & Tours' and 'IRCTC' may not be insisted upon. In rest of the cases, the condition of booking the tickets through authorised modes shall continue to follow.

Enclosure: As above

sd/-
(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Click to view the order
Authority: www.dopt.gov.in

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Indian Railways takes various initiatives to facilitate travel in this summer

Indian Railways takes various initiatives to facilitate travel in this summer

In an endeavor to provide smooth travel experience to the railway travelers, Indian Railways have taken various initiatives for improved passenger experience. Considering the peak season during summers, Indian Railways is poised to offer convenient travel to the passengers without upsetting their plans. To ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation, following initiatives have been undertaken by Indian Railways:-

i) Finalization of first reservation chart at least 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train.

ii) After preparation of first reservation chart, current ticket booking facility provided through any reserved ticket booking window as well as on internet till preparation of second reservation chart.

iii) Transfer of vacant available accommodation after preparation of second reservation chart to next remote location.

iv) Following facilities are also provided online through IRCTC website:

a) Waitlisted passengers given the option of accommodation in any other train without payment of any difference of fare or grant of refund thereon under VIKALP scheme. This facility can also be availed for e tickets booked prior to 01.04.2017
b) Tickets booked across reserved ticket booking window can be cancelled through IRCTC website or through 139.
c) In case of e tickets, boarding points can be changed through IRCTC website at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the train.
d) The facility of online booking of wheel chair provided free of cost to passengers.
e) The facility of online booking of retiring rooms through IRCTC website has been introduced.
f) Disposable bedrolls can be purchased through IRCTC website.
g) E Catering introduced to increase food options available with passengers.

PIB

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New Catering Policy -2017 in Railways

New Catering Policy -2017 in Railways

To improve the standard of food being provided to passengers in trains, new Catering Policy has been issued on 27th February 2017 wherein inter-alia IRCTC has been mandated to carry out the unbundling by creating a distinction primarily between food preparation and food distribution. In order to upgrade quality of food preparation, IRCTC is to set up new kitchens and upgrade existing ones. The salient features of the new Catering Policy 2017 are as under :-

(i) IRCTC to manage catering service on all mobile units. Pantry car contracts awarded by zonal railway to be reassigned to IRCTC.

(ii) Meals for all mobile units to be picked up from the nominated kitchens owned, operated and managed by IRCTC.

(iii) IRCTC not to outrightly outsource or issue licenses for provision of catering services to private licensees. IRCTC to retain the ownership and be fully accountable for all the issues pertaining to setting up and operation of the Base Kitchens and quality of food.

(iv) IRCTC to engage service providers from hospitality industry for service of food in trains.

(v) All four Base Kitchens under departmental operation of Zonal Railways (Nagpur, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSTM) , Mumbai Central (BCT) and Balharshah) and all kitchen units i.e. Refreshment Rooms at A1 and A category stations, Jan Ahaar, Cell Kitchens are to be handed over to IRCTC on 'as is where is basis'. IRCTC to set up its own Kitchens at additional stations, if required.

(vi) Kitchen structures/land/space to be handed over by zonal Railways to IRCTC, for a period of 10 years extendable for another period of 5 years, on a token license fee.

(vii) IRCTC to be responsible for management of Food Plaza, Food Courts, Fast food units within the ambit of this policy.

(viii) The setting up/ development / refurbishment of new or existing Base Kitchens/Kitchen units to be undertaken by IRCTC. These kitchens are to be owned, operated and managed by IRCTC.

(ix) IRCTC to develop different types of kitchens keeping in view supply of food and usage assessed.

(x) IRCTC to develop the Business model for the kitchens so that they can expand and enhance the service. IRCTC to prepare a detailed concession agreement for setting up/development of the kitchens.

(xi) Zonal railway to manage static unit (catering stall /milk stalls/ trolleys etc.) except base kitchens and kitchen units to be handed over to IRCTC .

(xii) For the purpose of allotment, a Refreshment Room (at B and below category stations) or a stall or a trolley to be deemed as one unit. As such, a single unit is to be awarded through a single license.

(xiii) Provision of perpetual renewal has been done away with. Now it has been envisaged that tenure of all static units (except kitchen units and Food Plaza) shall be 5 years only. Tenure of Food Plaza shall be for a period of 9 years.

(xiv) Allotments of General Minor Units at all category stations to be done through open, competitive, two- packet tendering system from the eligible bidders by divisions.

(xv) For the first time, it has been envisaged that allotment of Special Minor units (reserved category) at all category stations will be done by divisions through open tendering system within the similar reserved category. The technical eligibility criteria has been simplified.

This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 05.04.2017 (Wednesday).

PIB

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Railways to provide fresh food cooked after every two hours

Railways to provide fresh food cooked after every two hours

New Delhi: Plagued with complaints, Railways plan to provide fresh food cooked at base kitchens in trains after every two hours to the passengers.

Railways, which provides about 11 lakh meals to passengers every day, has separated cooking and distribution of food under the recently launched new catering policy.

"We have decided to provide good quality food to our passengers and for that we have decided to have base kitchens at several places so that fresh food can be picked up at every two-hours of travel," Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said at the round table conference on catering here.

Participated by representatives from the food and beverage industry, self-help groups, senior IRCTC and railway officials, the round table conference aims to formulate a roadmap under the new catering policy to provide best catering service at rail premises.

Admitting complaints against food served in trains, Prabhu said, Whenever complaints come we always take prompt action. We had detailed discussion before formulating the policy and today we are having discussion for its smooth implementation.

 Taking note of overcharging of food in trains, he said the issue will be taken up at the conference today. We have announced a new catering policy. There were many complaints against catering service. There were complaints against those who have got the catering responsibility under our earlier catering policy, he said.

Seeking participation of private players in food business for setting up base kitchens near stations, Prabhu said, We have decided how to provide good quality food to our passengers. So we decided to have base kitchens at many places across the country. The base kitchens will be mechanised kitchens with less human intervention. It can be done through PPP mode.

He said base kitchens will benefit passengers as fresh food can be picked up in trains in every two hours which even airlines cannot do. On the distribution front, Prabhu also sought participation of reputed caterers.

Delivery of food is important for an effective catering service. Delivery of fresh food in trains can also be done by reputed caterers with proper quality control mechanism, he added.

PTI

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Shares of Railway PSEs - IRCTC, IRFC and IRCON to be listed

Shares of Railway PSEs - IRCTC, IRFC and IRCON to be listed

Consolidation, mergers and acquisitions of CPSEs to be encouraged, an integrated public sector oil major soon

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana budget target doubled to Rs. 2.44 lakh crores

Rs. 10,000 crores earmarked for recapitalisation of Banks, Need based additional allocation assured
While presenting the General Budget 2017-18 in Lok Sabha here today, the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley has said that the shares of Railway Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) like IRCTC, IRFC and IRCON will be listed in stock exchanges. The Government will encourage strengthening the CPSEs through consolidation, mergers and acquisitions and soon create an integrated public sector ‘oil major’, he added.
Stating that the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has proved an overwhelming success in extending funds for the deprived sections, Shri Jaitley doubled the budget target under the scheme to Rs. 2.44 lakh crores.

Easing the stressed legacy accounts of banks, Shri Jaitley earmarked Rs. 10,000 crores for recapitalisation of Banks in 2017-18 and assured need based additional allocation.

Stating that the disinvestment policy announced in the last budget will continue, Shri Jaitley further said that the Government will put in place a revised mechanism and procedure to ensure time bound listing of identified CPSEs on stock exchanges. This will foster greater public accountability and unlock the true value of these companies, he added.

Shri Jaitley said the CPSEs will be integrated across the value chain of an industry through consolidation, mergers and acquisitions. By these methods it will give them capacity to bear higher risks, avail economies of scale, take higher investment decisions and create more value for the stakeholders, he added. Possibilities of such restructuring are visible in the oil and gas sector. The Government proposes to create an integrated public sector ‘oil major’ which will be able to match the performance of international and domestic private sector oil and gas companies.

The Finance Minister said that the Exchange Trade Fund (ETF), comprising shares of ten CPSEs, has received overwhelming response in the recent Further Fund Offering (FFO). The Government will continue to use ETF as a vehicle for further disinvestment of shares. Accordingly, a new ETF with diversified CPSE stocks and other Government holdings will be launched in 2017-18, he added.

Shri Jaitley said that the focus on resolution of stressed legacy accounts of Banks will continue and the legal framework has been strengthened to facilitate resolution, through the enactment of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and the amendments to the SARFAESI and Debt Recovery Tribunal Acts. In line with the ‘Indradhanush’ roadmap, an amount of Rs. 10,000 crore is provided for recapitalisation of Banks in 2017-18 and additional allocation will be provided, as may be required, he added.

Shri Jaitley said that the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana has contributed significantly to funding the unfunded and the underfunded. He further said that the last year target of Rs.1.22 lakh crores was exceeded and for 2017-18, he proposes to double the lending target of 2015-16 and set it at Rs. 2.44 lakh crores. Priority will be given to Dalits, Tribals, Backward Classes, Minorities and Women, he added.

Shri Jaitley said that the Stand Up India scheme was launched by the Government in April 2016 to support Dalit, Tribal and Women entrepreneurs to set up green field enterprises and become job creators. Over 16,000 new enterprises have come up through this scheme in activities, as diverse as food processing, garments, diagnostic centres, etc, he added.

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Clarification on purchase of Air Tickets from unauthorized agents for non- entitled officials to travel by air

Clarification on purchase of Air Tickets from unauthorized agents for non- entitled officials to travel by air

To
The Secretary, OFB, ID-A, S.K. Bose Rd, Kol-01
All Sr. General Managers/All General Managers
Ordnance/ Equipments Factories.
All Group controllers & Branch AOs

Sub: Clarification on purchase of Air Tickets from unauthorized agents for non- entitled officials to travel by air

Kindly refer to DoP&T letter No.31011/3/2015-Estt(A.lV) dated 18/02/2016 wherein it is mentioned under points 14 & 15 that Govt employees not entitled to travel by air, may travel by any airline. However, reimbursement in such cases shall be restricted to the fare of their entitled class of train/transport or actual expense, whichever is less. In all cases whenever a Govt servant claims LTC by air, he/she is required to book the air tickets either directly through the airlines or through the approved travel agencies viz M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd/ M/s Ashok Tours & Travels Ltd/ IRCTC. Booking of tickets through any other agency is not permissible.

This is for your information, guidance and necessary action please.

Dy.Controller
Accounts(Fys)

Authority: http://pcafys.nic.in/

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Insurance Scheme For Railway Passengers

Insurance Scheme For Railway Passengers

An Optional Travel Insurance Scheme on a pilot basis for one year has been launched w.e.f 01.09.2016 for the Railway passengers who book e-ticket through official website of Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) at the premium of Rs. 0.92 per passenger.

This insurance scheme provides financial support to the family/legal heir in case of death/injury of reserved passengers due to train accident/untoward incidents as defined under section 123 read with Sections 124 and 124A of the Railways Act, 1989, subject to the qualification that the coverage will be valid from the actual departure of train from the originating station to actual arrival of train at the destination station including 'process of entraining' and 'process of detraining' the train.
The Sums Insured to be given to passengers are as follows: (i) In case of Death- Rs. 10 lakh, (ii) Permanent Total Disability - Rs. 10 Lakh, (iii) Permanent Partial Disability upto- Rs. 7.5 Lakh, (iv) Hospitalization Expenses for Injury -Rs. 2 Lakh, (v) Transportation of mortal remains - Rs. 10 Thousand.

IRCTC which is a wholly owned undertaking of Ministry of Railways has entered into an agreement with three Insurance Companies through Limited Tender, namely (i) Shriram General Insurance Company Ltd., (ii) ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd., and (iii) Royal Sundaram General Insurance Co. Ltd.

(a) Ex-gratia is paid to the victims of train accidents and untoward incidents at the following scales:

	Train Accident (Sec.124)	Untoward Incident (Sec. 124- A)
In case of death	Rs. 50,000/-	Rs. 15000/-
In case of grievous injury	Rs. 25,000/- lump sum for hospitalisation upto 30 days. Rs. 300 per day at the end of every 10 day period or discharge, whichever is earlier.	Rs.5000/- lump sum for hospitalisation upto 30 days.Rs. 1000/- per week or part thereof the period for indoor treatment upto further six months of hospitalisation. Rs. 500/- per week or part thereof the period for indoor treatment upto further five months of hospitalisation.
	The maximum period for which ex-gratia is payable to the grievously injured passenger will be 12 months.
In case of simple injury	Rs 5000/-		Rs. 500/-

The insurance scheme is available on optional basis to passengers of all reserved classes (SL, 1AC, 2AC, 3AC etc.) of all trains except passenger trains and sub-urban trains for tickets booked online on the IRCTC websites.

This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on 09.12.2016 (Friday).

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Relaxation from payment of Service Charge in internet booking of Railway tickets through IRCTC

Relaxation from payment of Service Charge in internet booking of Railway tickets through IRCTC

Ministry of Railways has decided that in order to help passengers and incentivise the payment through credit/debit/cash cards instead of cash payment for booking of reserved tickets, Service Charge shall not be collected on booking of e-tickets/ i-tickets from 23rd November to 31st December, 2016.

Service Charge is Rs. 20 on sleeper/ 2nd Class and Rs. 40 on AC classes for booking through IRCTC.

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Revision in the procedure of cancellation and refund of value of Rs.10,000/- and above for the PRS counter tickets booked from 09.11.2016 to 11.11.2016

Revision in the procedure of cancellation and refund of value of Rs.10,000/- and above for the PRS counter tickets booked from 09.11.2016 to 11.11.2016

COMMERCIAL CIRCULAR No.561 of 2016

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

No. TC-II/2003/2016/refund

New Delhi, 10.1.2016

To Chief Commercial Managers
All zonal Railways
Managing Director/CRIS/Chankyapuri/New Delhi
Managing/Director/IRCTC/New Delhi

Sub: Revision in the procedure of cancellation and refund of value of Rs.10,000/- and above for the PRS counter tickets booked from 09.11.2016 to 11.11.2016.

Ministry of Railways desire that tie procedure for cancellation of tickets and refund of value of Rs.10,000/- and above for the PRS counter tickets booked from 09.11.2016 to 11.11.2016 shall be revised as under:-

(i) Cancellation of such tickets and refund of fare of value Rs.10,000/- and above shall NOT be allowed in cash or through green pay order or by any means involving cash across the counter. The payment shall be only through Cheque / ECS payment.

(ii) Such ticket may be refunded through filing of TDR only on surrendering of original ticket. TDR shall filed within the prescribed time limit for cancellation of ticket across the counter as per Refund Rule e.g. TDR shall be filed only upta half an hour before the scheduled departure of the train for RAC/WL tickets and for confirmed tickets upto 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, for which ticket has been issued etc.,

(iii) In such cases TDR and rerund of fare as per refund shall be allowed for waitlisted tickets also only through Cheque / ECS payment.
(iv) This shall be implemented with immediate effect.

This issues with concurrence of Finance (Commercial) and Accounts Directorates of Ministry of Railways.
CRIS may make necessary changes in the software.

Ensue action accordingly and confirm.

sd/-
(Vikram Singh)
Director Passenger Marketing
Railway Board

Authority: www.indianrailways.gov.in

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Provision of Yatri Mitra Sewa for booking of wheelchair services cum porter services at Railway Stations

Provision of Yatri Mitra Sewa for booking of wheelchair services cum porter services at Railway Stations.

With a view to provide support to old and differently abled passengers requiring assistance at the stations, Ministry of Railways has decided to introduce Yatri Mitras Sewa for enabling passengers to book wheelchair services cum porter services. The salient features of the Yatri Mitra Seva are as under:

1. Yatri Mitra
A Yatri Mitra can either be a Sahayak or any other person provided by IRCTC or the service provider appointed by IRCTC for this purpose.

2. Services to be provided by Yatri Mitra
Yatri Mitra shall provide Wheel chair cum porter services to differently abled, ailing and old persons.

3. Provision of Yatri Mitra Sewa

• The responsibility of providing Yatri Mitra Sewa has been entrusted with IRCTC. IRCTC may provide this service ‘Free of cost’ through some NGO, charitable trust, PSUs etc under CSR. However, if this service can’t be provided ‘Free of Cost’ due to lack of response from NGOs, Charitable trust, PSUs etc, IRCTC may arrange this service on payment basis through a service provider or on its own.
• IRCTC may also arrange these services through existing Battery Operated Car (BOC) Operator, wherever, an agency is providing the service.

4. Booking of Yatri Mitra
The booking of Yatri Mitra can be done as under:

• The Yatri Mitra service can be booked on IRCTC e-ticketing website and 139 (IVRS and SMS) or through a mobile.
• A Mobile Application developed by CRIS would also be made available for booking of Yatri Mitra as and when it is developed and released by CRIS.
• A dedicated Mobile number for each station, where this service is available, shall be made available by the Service provider/IRCTC which would be displayed on IRCTC e-ticketing website and zonal websites of Indian Railways to facilitate booking of Yatri Mitra.
• Based on the station at which the facility is booked by the passenger, the booking details (Train Name and Number, date and time of arrival/departure, PNR number, Name of the passenger, Coach and berth number) will be sent by SMS both to the passenger and service provider/IRCTC along with the amount chargeable, if applicable, for the service.
• The mobile number of the Yatri Mitra shall also be sent to the passenger through SMS before the expected time of the arrival of the passenger so that the passenger can contact the Yatri Mitra.
• The Mobile Application developed by CRIS would have the facility for the service provider to update the status after providing the service. The passenger would also have the option to give feedback regarding compliance for his booking.

5. Operation of Yatri Mitra Seva
The Yatri Mitra Sewa shall be operated on following lines for arriving, transferring and departing passengers:

• Arriving/Transferring Passengers
  
  o The IRCTC/service provider on receipt of SMS will ensure that the Yatri Mitra is arranged/positioned at the platform near the coach of the arriving passenger.o The mobile number of the Yatri Mitra shall also be sent to the passenger through SMS in advance.
  
  o On arrival of the train, the Yatri Mitra shall approach the passenger near his coach, greet him, show his mobile message which will be similar as sent to the passenger himself. On instructions of passenger, he will pick up his/her luggage and help him/her in sitting in wheelchair and take him to desired exit gate or any other platform in case of transfer passenger.
  
  o In case of late running of train, the service provider shall contact the passenger on the mobile number given by the passenger at the time of booking and arrange the service as per expected arrival of the train at the station.
• Departing Passengers
  
  o The IRCTC/service provider on receipt of SMS will ensure that the Yatri Mitra is arranged/positioned at the nominated entrance of the station building from where the passenger will be boarding the train.
  o Yatri Mitra shall contact the passenger on the mobile number given by the passenger at the time of booking and confirm the expected time of arrival of the passenger and entrance gate of station.
  
  o On arrival of the passenger at entrance gate of station, the Yatri Mitra shall approach the passenger, greet him, and show his mobile message which will be similar as sent to the passenger himself. On instructions of passenger, he will pick up his luggage and help him/her in sitting in wheelchair and take him to the platform where train has to arrive.

6. Storage/Parking of wheelchairs
The Railway shall provide space for storage/parking of wheel chairs as per requirement of number of wheelchairs and charging point if wheelchairs are battery operated. In case service is provided Free of cost, electricity for charging battery of wheelchairs shall be provided free. In case of paid service, the cost of electricity on consumption basis and connection shall be charged to the service provider as per extant practice.

7. Service Charges
The service charges, if applicable, shall be kept reasonable and affordable keeping in mind the objective of providing services to the needy.The service charges should be collected by the Service provider directly from the passenger.

8. IRCTC shall provide adequate number of wheelchairs at the station as per the requirement to be decided in consultation with SrDCM/DCM of concerned division. Preference should be given to battery operated wheelchairs.

9. The Yatri Mitra appointed by service provider shall be issued an ID card and permit to provide these services at the station by SrDCM/DCM of the concerned Division.

10. The service will be available at major stations.

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Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession - Guidelines to be followed

Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession - Guidelines to be followed.

No. 31011/3/2013-Estt (A.IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dated July 12, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession - Guidelines to be followed.
The undersigned is directed to enclose a copy of draft O.M. on the subject noted above for comments within 15 days to the undersigned (email address: jha.sn@nic.in)

(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

********

The undersigned is directed to say that some instances where some Government servants colluded with private travel agents to submit LTC claims showing inflated airfare to  clandestinely obtain undue benefits like free boarding/lodging/transport or cash refunds have come to notice of the Government.

2. In order to curb these malpractices the following steps may be taken:
(i) As per instructions reiterated from time to time, in all cases whenever a Govt. servant claims LTC by air, he/she is required to book the air tickets either directly  through the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the service of  authorized travel agents viz. 'M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company', 'M/s Ashok Travels &  Tours' and 'IRCTC'. Proposals from different Ministries/Departments for relaxation  continue to be received on the plea that the Government servant was not aware of this  requirement. Vide the OM dated No. 31011/3/2015-Estt (A.IV) dated 18th February, 2016 detailed guidelines on submission and processing of claims were circulated. These guidelines are required to be made available to Government servants whenever they apply for LTC. Plea of ignorance of the instructions therefore cannot be used by such Government servants.

The nodal Ministries of M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co. (Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas), M/s Ashok Travels & Tours (Ministry of Tourism) and IRCTC (Ministry of Railways) shall issue instructions to these organisations to ensure compliance to the instructions issued vide O.M. dated 18 th  February, 2016 on issue of air tickets. Any violation of these instructions shall invite blacklisting.

(ii) Vide the Department of Expenditure's O.M. No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 04.03.2011, it was clarified that reimbursement of air fare lower than LTC-80 fare of Air India is admissible for the journey(s) performed by Air India under LTC-80. LTC-80 fare is to be used as the ceiling beyond which no claim will be entertained. It has now been decided that in accordance with the canons of financial propriety, Government servants should purchase tickets at the lowest rate available at the time of booking for the date and time of scheduled journey. Government servant will be required to submit the print out of the tickets showing date and time of booking in addition to the fare charged. It may, however, be kept in mind that in some cases of cancellation/rescheduling, a refund fee may be applicable. This will be borne by the employee unless the journey had to be rescheduled/cancelled due to exigencies of work. The Authority which has approved the LTC will have the powers to cancel or reschedule it.

From pre-page:

(iii) While submitting the LTC claim after completion of the LTC journey, the Govt. servant will be required to submit a self-certificate on plain papers as follows:

(1) I certify that the airfare claimed by me is in respect of the fare charged by the Airline for the air journey only and does not include any charges for any facility/undue benefit including boarding/lodging/local transport.

(2) I also certify that I have booked the ticket at the lowest fare available for the destination at the time of booking for the scheduled date and time of departure. I am aware that suppression of any information or furnishing wrong information will render me liable to disciplinary action.

3.  The Administrative Ministries/Departments may also from time to time do random checks from airlines whether the tickets were booked at the lowest fare available on that date.  Attention of the Ministries/Departments is also invited to Rule 3(1)(i) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 which requires the Government servants to maintain absolute integrity at all times. In addition, cheating/fraud also attract various sections of the Indian Penal Code 1860. Ministries/Departments should therefore not hesitate to take severe action against employees guilty of deliberate malpractices, particularly in collusion with travel agents etc.

4. All the Ministries/ Departments of Government of India are requested to bring the contents of this O.M. to the notice of all concerned.

(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India 

The Secretaries
All Ministries / Departments of Government of India.
(As per the standard list)

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Two Years Achievements of Ministry of Railways (May 2014 to May 2016)

Two Years Achievements of Ministry of Railways (May 2014 to May 2016)

I .PASSENGER AMENITIES AND DIGITAL INDIA INITIATIVES

• Indian Railways launched three social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube with the handle @railminindia.  Ministry of Railways employed first of its kind, a real time 24×7 public grievance system through Twitter and provided medical, security and other emergency assistance to travelling passengers
• All India Security Helpline 182 set up to report any untoward incident and seek emergency help during travel
• The All India Passenger Helpline ‘138’ provided for all other query/complaints during travel
• A mobile based application viz. Complaint Management System (COMS) launched
• E-catering facility launched at 100 stations. 408 railway    stations designated for providing E-catering
• A massive scheme for providing Water Vending Machines (WVMs) to provide RO Water at affordableprices is under implementation by Railway PSU IRCTC
• Reservation quota of two lower berths per coach in Sleeper class enhanced to four lower berths per coach for Senior Citizens and Women
• Tatkal reservation timings have been staggered to serve dual purpose of providing convenience to the passengers and for staggering traffic on the e-ticket portal.All agents are debarred from booking tickets during first thirty minutes of opening of booking
• Automatic refund of Confirmed /RAC e-tickets on cancellation of trains similar to waitlisted e-tickets is granted without filing of TDR
• Time limit for booking reserved tickets was increased to 120 days w.e.f. 01.04.2015
• Destination alert and wake up alarm services launched on 139
• Automatic Destination Alerts to passengers through SMS for Rajdhani and Duronto trains.
• E-ticketing facility launched for disabled persons and for accredited journalist on concession pass.
• Mobile charging facilities in all new general class coaches initiated.
• Out of 1252 Stations identified for upgradation to Adarsh Stations’, 986 stations have so far been developed. 160 developed in last two years
• Scheme namely ‘SMS Gateway’ launched enabling passengers to get SMS alerts on the status of reserved tickets
• New Generation system put in place which can book 7200 online tickets instead of 2000 tickets per minute and can attend 2,00,000 enquiries instead of 50000 per minute
• Rationalization of Computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) done to enable passengers to buy tickets even after the preparation of reservation charts
• Paperless unreserved ticketing including Paperless Platforms tickets through mobile phone introduced in suburban sections of Western Railway, Central Railway, South Central Railway, Southern Railway, Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway
• Pilot Project of hand Held Terminals for TTEs launched
• E-booking of disposable linen started on trains at New Delhi Railway Station and Nizamuddin Railway Station, Mumbai Central (BCT), Chattarpati Shivaji Terminus (CSTM), Southern Railway
• E-booking of Wheel chair launched
• Currency Coin cum Card operated Automatic Ticket Vending Machines installed at select stations.
• Initiated one of the largest free public wifi fi systems in the world. Launched at 26 stations with a plan to extend it to 100 Stations by December this year and to 400 stations by 2018.
• The booking of retiring rooms at different railway stations made online making it convenient and transparent
• E-Ticketing portal in Hindi launched
• 60 lifts and 150 escalators provided in last 2 years at Railway stations
• Model Rake (a passenger carrying train with 24 coaches) developedwith improved interiors, colour scheme, aesthetics and amenity fittings. This is running as a train between New Delhi and Varanasi.
• Cancellation of confirmed, RAC and Waitlisted PRS counter tickets made easy using IRCTC website or phone No. 139.
• Provision made for acceptance of international debit and credit cards for payment of E-ticket through IRCTC website
• Yatri Ticket/Sewa Kendra (YTSK) Scheme launched to allow private agents to operate ticketing terminals for selling reserved as well as unreserved tickets
• Indian Railways started six pilgrims’ special tourist trains. More such trains being planned in subsequent phases
• Dustbins to be provided in non AC coaches also
• NIFT, Delhi has been engaged for designing of bedroll etc.
• A new ‘Rail Neer’ plant for package drinking water set up at Ambernath (Mumbai).
• In order to increase availability of accommodation for general class passengers on long distance Mail/Express trains, GMs were delegated powers to de-reserve Sleeper Class (SL) coaches as General Coaches (GS) in identified trains & sectors
• Suvidha Trains with graded pricing structure introduced with facility for booking on PRS in addition to e-tickets and facility of limited refund on cancellation of ticket
• The Defense Travel System to eliminate exchange of defense warrants was rolled out on the NGeT platform. Till date about 2000 Defense units have started issuing tickets through this platform without exchange of warrants
• Number of berths available for physically challenged has been increased from 2 to 4
• ‘VIKALP’, Alternative Train Accommodation System (ATAS)  launchedwith a view to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation. This facility is now available on New Delhi – Jammu, New Delhi – Lucknow, Delhi-Howrah, Delhi- Chennai, Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Secunderabad Circuits,
• Launched pre-cooked (ready-to-eat) meals of reputed brands on some trains.
• Commencement of provision of Braille signage on 3000 coaches has been given in order to facilitate travel to visually impaired passengers.
• Provision of foldable ladder in First AC coaches launched

• Provision of Bio degradable garbage bags to passengers started on pilot basis

• Escorting ladies special trains and ladies compartment by security squad

• Security helpline 182 activated and real time complaint resolution through Twitter employed with a high priority to women security issues

• Fitment of CCTV surveillance cameras for women security in trains initiated with first such fitment undertaken in Amritsar-New Delhi-Shan-e Punjab Express

• Development of security App over some of the Zonal Railways

• Middle bay reserved for women

• Pilot Project of Sale of Unreserved Tickets  through Hand Held Terminals initiated at Hazrat Nizammudin Railway Station of Northern Railway.

1. INFRASTRUCTURECREATION AND SUPPORT TO MAKE IN INDIA INITIATIVE

• Indian Railways has taken a giant leap forward in ‘Make in India’ drive by signing Agreement for setting up of Diesel Locomotive Factory (DLF) at Marhowra, Saran district, Bihar for procurement and maintenance of mainline most modern high power Diesel Electric Locomotives with M/s GE Diesel Locomotive Pvt. Ltd. A separate agreement signed with M/S ALSTOM for setting up of electric locomotive factory at Madhepura, Bihar for procurement and maintenance of most modern high power electric locomotives, both major PPP and FDI tenders of Indian Railways. This would be one of the highest FDI’s in India amounting to order book of almost Rs 40,000 Crore.

• The Ministry has initiated process for procuring high speed train sets which will improve average speed of passenger carrying trains thereby reducing journey time.

• MoU between India and Japan signed for Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project using Shinkansen Technology covering a total of 508 kms. A new entity named National High Speed Ra Extension of newly introduced cancellation facility for PRS
• il Corporation Limited has been set up in February, 2016 to implement the project

• Further high speed studies are being conducted by Ministry of Railways on Diamond Quadrilateral High Speed Rail network. Feasibility studies of Delhi- Mumbai, Mumbai- Chennai and Delhi- Kolkata are underway.  The feasibility studies of Delhi-Nagpur and Mumbai –Nagpur corridors are being taken up through G2G cooperation with Chinese and Spanish governments respectively

• Ministry of Railways launched Gatimaan Express, country’s first semi high speed train with a maximum speed of 160 kmph between Delhi and Agra heralding a new era of high speed rail travel in India

• Redevelopment of 400 Stations to be developed on e-bidding on as is where is basis; 10 stations handed over to IRSDC

• Indian Railways commissioned 2828 Km of Broad Gauge lines, highest ever in 2015-16 against an average of 1528 Km from 2009-14.

• IR commissioned two mega bridges over river Ganga at Patna and Munger.With these, the Railway networks of North and South Bihar have been integrated.

• The executions of the biggest infrastructural projects in the country, Eastern and Western DFCs have been fast-tracked.  Revised cost estimates have been approved by the Cabinet and funding has been tied up.  Rs.25,320 Cr worth of contracts have been awarded in the last two years, which is more than double of the total contracts of Rs.12,240 Cr awarded since commencement. The first ever section on DFC of 56 km between Durgawati-Sasaram has been commissioned. The project is progressing well for commissioning in phases by 2019

• Rail Wheel Plant, Bela commissioned and regular production started

• Diesel loco factory at Varanasi is being expanded

• DEMU factory at Haldia was commissioned and Mid-life Rehabilitation Workshop for coaches at Jhansi completed.

• One of the most challenging railway projects, conversion of 1500 V DC to 25000 V AC traction system has been successfully completed over the entire Mumbai division of Central Railway.

• During 2014-16, 3105 route kilometres have been electrified, which is an average of 1552.5 RKM/ annum as against 1236 RKM/annum during previous five years.

• Construction of Electric Lolo Assembly & Ancillary Unit of CLW at Dankuni in West Bengal completed

• Modern LHB Coach manufacturing facility commissioned at ICF Chennai.

• The Chhapra factory has started regular production of cast wheels for rolling stock. The installed capacity of the plant is 1Lac wheels per annum.

• Foundation stone laid for setting up Traction Alternator Factory at Vidisha to manufacture 100 traction alternators per annum of high horse power diesel locomotives which are currently being imported

• Significant boost in elimination of unmanned level crossing which has resulted in safe operations. In 2015-16, a total of 1253 unmanned level crossings were eliminated and 1024 Road over/ Road under bridges were constructed. This marks an improvement of 35% against the average number from 2009-2014

III.REFORMS

• A Memorandum of Understanding with LIC of India for obtaining funds to the tune of Rs.1.5 lakh Cr signed.
• MOF approved issue of tax free bonds by IRFC amounting to Rs.6,000 Cr
• Discussions initiated with World Bank for setting up a Railway Infrastructure Development Fund of around USD 30 Bn
• Powers delegated and decentralized for improving efficiency and transparency. Measures for E-tendering, E-auctioning, E-ticketing, E-Governance, E-Freight Demand, E-Catering, E-Wheel Chair, E-Concierge etc. takenfor efficiency and transparency
• Ministry of Railways (MoR) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for formation of Joint Venture Companies with six State Governments viz. Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.JVs would undertake project development works for an identified basket of projects, which will inter-alia include surveys, preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) and getting requisite approvals, processing for sanctioning of identified projects and monitoring
• Ministry of Railways conducted world’s largest online exam for recruitment for almost 90 lakh aspirants. With a view to increase transparency, a new system of handing over the Question Booklets to the candidates has been introduced.A pilot project of uploading of Answer Keys and Cut-off marks has also been initiated.
• Deloitte, a consulting firm has been engaged for studying the manpower rationalization of the Group A services.  Report submitted and is under examination
• Four Centres of Railways Research set up in premier educational institutions
• Development of an online system initiated for grievance redressal of both serving as well as retired railwaymen
• Railways signed MoU to set up its own Railway Design Centre in collaboration with  National Institute of Design (NID)
• The process for putting in place a regulator “Rail Development Authority” has been initiated. A concept note was uploaded to receive feedback from all stakeholders. Process for drafting of a bill/executive order underway.
• 100 % FDI allowed in identified areas of railway sector and sectoral guidelines on FDI formulated
• Ministry of Railways implemented 100% E-procurement solution for all kinds of contracts – goods, works and services. It isIndia’s largest e-procurement system
• A web-enabled IT-Application “Project Monitoring and Information System (PMIS)” launched which will be implemented in Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramullah Rail Link (USBRL) project, followed by other mega and complex projects of Indian Railways. This will increase transparency in project monitoring

• “Technology Mission on Indian Railways (TMIR)” for Development/Research/Innovations in Railway Technologies in association with Department of Science & Technology, MoHRD and representatives of Industry has been set up
• Creation of Mobility Directorate in Railway Board’s Office
• Creation of Non-Fare Revenue Directorate in Railway Board’s Office
• Release of Handout on ‘Railway initiatives for Ease of Doing Business’ and Nomination of ‘Key Customer Managers’

1. GREEN INITIATIVES

• Commissioned 26 MW wind mill power plant at Jaisalmer

• 10MW Solar Plants installed in two years. Massive solarisation (1000 MW Solar Power Plants) planned in next Five years with an eye on making Railways, the largest solar power producer in the country

• Railways provided27,000 bio-toilets in trains in the last two years.A target of 30000 bio-toilets setfor the next financial year
• First ‘Green’ DEMU train introduced on Northern Railway to run between Rewari-Rohtak section

• A hybrid toilet system, combining best features of a   vacuum toilet system and indigenous bio-toilet system has been installed for trial in a First Class air conditioned coach of Dibrugarh Rajdhani which is running wellsince September 2015. The system does not require any waste handling facilities for evacuation and processing of waste. This system uses significantly less quantity of water is used for flushing
• A new separate Environment Management Directorate formed to address all environment related issues in a focused and integrated manner
• M/s. RITES has been engaged for setting up of two pilot plants at NDLS and JP for disposal for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in an environment friendly manner including conversion of Waste to Energy (bio-methanation)
• A major push was given to get additional sanction of more than 30 Water Recycling Plants during 2015-16. As against this, less than 30 WRPs have been functioning all these years
• Setting up of Automatic Coach Washing Plants in major coach maintenance depots
• After field trails, IR has now developed the environmental friendly composite sleepers made up of recycled plastic waste, which will be used over all girder bridges in future for improved maintainability and facilitating higher speeds and higher axle loads.
• Indian Railways has started a massive exercise of planting trees alongside Railway Track with the signing agreement with Haryana & Punjab Government in the first phase.

V. CLEANLINESS
Indian Railways joined the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan in a big way. It formulated an integrated policy on cleanliness

• 27 Charitable Institutions/Social Organizations invited to take part in ‘Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ through Shramdaan campaign

• Criterion for qualification of OBHS trains revised to include all importantmail &express trains. 7 more Clean Train Stations added and 240 new trains added on OBHS in last two years

• “Clean My Coach” Servicelaunched for any cleaning requirement in the coach. A passenger can send an SMS on a mobile number 58888 or book through app and his request is attended to

• 16 more mechanised laundries set up in the last two years. Now around 45 percent linen is cleanedthrough mechanised laundries

• Intensive mechanised cleaning of coaching in coaching depots through professional agencies – 132 Coaching Depots in different Railways already have the system

• Cleaning of 50 major stations has been outsourced to professional agencies

• Cleanliness audit through 3^rd party started for Railway stations institutionalised. Ranking of stations based on cleanliness would be generated periodically

1. CONNECTIVITY IN NORTH EAST AND J&K

• Indian Railways completed Udhampur-Katra Broad gauge line in the State of Jammu and Kashmir bringing Katra on Broad Gauge Railway map
• Lumding-Silchar Broad gauge section inaugurated giving seamless BG connectivity to Barak Valley of Assam
• Meghalaya came on the rail map with the flagging off the first ever train from Guwahati to Medipathar in Meghalaya
• The Prime Minister laid the foundation for a new line to take rail connectivity to Mizoram’s capital Aizwal
• The Tripura’s Capital Agartala came on the broad gauge rail map
• Meter gauge will be fully eliminated in North-East in near future
• IR commissioned 545 KM of Broad Gauge lines in North East in 2015-16 in comparison to 110 KM per year from 2009-2014

VII.PPP IN RAIL LINE PROJECTS

• In 2015-16, Indian Railways generated an investment of Rs.15,000Cr through PPP. This is the highest achieved till now.
• Partnership with State Governments, Industry is being encouraged to undertake coal and mining connectivity projects.
• To encourage port connectivity projects, thrust has been given to implementation of projects under the participative model policy of 2012. Rail connectivity to Tuna Port at a cost of 142 Cr has been implemented in 2015. Also approvals under Joint Venture model have been granted to build rail connectivity to the ports of Jaigarh (Rs 771 Cr.), Rewas (Rs.349 Cr), and Dighi (Rs.724 Cr.)

• Ministry of Railways for the first time has decided to launch three annuity projects Badrak- Nargundi 3^rd line (900Cr.), Nagpur – Wardha 3^rd line 550Cr. and Kazipet- Vijayawada 3^rd line 1566 Cr in the current calendar year.

VIII. FREIGHT

• Massive rationalization of freight policies initiated
• Merry-Go-Round system introduced to capture short lead traffic near steel plants and thermal power house
• Post congestion charges withdrawn which will help in increasing traffic from the Ports to hinterland
• Two-Point/Multi Point/Mini Rake facility extended to maximize traffic.
• Roll on – Roll off scheme launched on Digha Rail Bridge over River Ganges near Patna. Under this scheme loaded trucks would be moved on the flat wagons to avoid congested roads across Ganges
• Busy season charge withdrawn.
• Automatic Freight Rebate Scheme for traffic loaded in Traditional Empty Flow Direction introduced
• Computerized system to register demands for wagons introduced. Electronic forwarding note and Electronic Railway Receipts introduced to enhance efficiency and transparency in freight operations
• Liberalised Wagon Investment Scheme, Wagon Leasing Scheme, Special Freight Train Operator Scheme, Private Freight Terminals, Automobile Freight Train Operator Scheme, accelerated to improve freight
• Auto hub at Walajabad in Chennai Division developed for automobiles moment
• Flagging off of Roll-On-Roll-Off(Ro-Ro) train Ex.-Bihta to Turki in Bihar.

1. SAFETY IN RAIL OPERATIONS

• Working towards ‘Zero Accident’ Mission.
• TPWS is a safety Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system conforming to European Train Control System (ETCS) Level-1.    TPWS trials at 160 Kmph were successfully conducted.
• 282 Level Crossing Gates have been interlocked with Signals to enhance safety.
• A cost effective indigenous safety system – Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is being developed indigenously by RDSO and the trails are on.
• Pilot Project initiated for Improving Safety at Unmanned Level Crossing which include automatic warning to road users through flasher light and Sensing of Obstruction on level crossing and visual warning to train drivers

1. MISCELLANEOUS

• In the last two years, 14 MoUs/MoCs/other agreements for cooperation in rail sector have signed with Railways/Governments of Czech Republic, China, South Korea, Canada, Kazakhstan, Slovak Republic, UK, Japan, Germany, France, Russia & Sweden.
• Under Skill India Initiative, 53 locations across the country have been identified by setting up training centres
• Indian Railways made successful arrangements to transport drinking water to drought-affected areas of Latur district in Maharashtra
• Indian Railways lent helping hand during the Nepal earthquake tragedy by providing ‘Rail Neer’ bottles and by transporting Nepal evacuees
• Railways also helped during the J&K floods
• Railways were in the forefront in extending help to the Indian nationals returning from Yemen
• Indian Railway weightlifters (5 Women & 1 Men) represented India in the Commonwealth Youth; Junior & Senior Weightlifting Championship held at Pune from 11^th to 15^th November, 201. All Railway players won medals in this Championship
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed Ministry of Railways and PEC University of Technology for setting up of ‘Kalpana Chawla Chair’ on Geospatial Technology for Indian Railways at PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh.

PIB

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