Local NGOs request Passport Office in Udaipur

BS Post: 112 , Dated :  June 25, 2014 

After days of signature campaigns run by local social organizations demanding passport office in Udaipur, the representatives met district collector today and presented a memorandum to the Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The members of Jag Nagrik Seva Samiti and Sarv Dharm Maitri Sangh also handed over a large cloth sheet with thousands of signatures on it by local citizens who supported the cause.

The founder of Jag Nagrik Seva Samiti, Akhtar Ali said, “There are six districts in Mewar and thousands of people every year go to abroad for job, many people from Muslim community go for annual pilgrimage but whenever they have any work related to their passport, they have to travel either Jaipur or Jodhpur as there is no passport center in Udaipur.”

Ali added, “The previous government could not fulfill our promise to install passport office in Udaipur but we have high expectations with the current government.” The organization appealed Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj to take a positive step on this issue.

Sources : UT

"The passport service is not satisfactory" said Sushma Swaraj External Affairs Minister, at the Passport Seva Divas (Passport Day) function in New Delhi on June 24, 2014.

BS Post: 111 , Dated :  June 24, 2014 

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj aimed to provide satisfactory passport service to the people of the country, as she pinned hopes on speedy issuance of passport on Tuesday. Swaraj, while addressing mediapersons on 'Passport Service Day' said that authorities should conduct a brainstorming session to ensure timely issuance of passport.

"The passport service is not satisfactory. Our main aim is to provide satisfactory services to people and I have to achieve this. You should conduct a brainstorming session to discuss adequate steps to ensure that people should get passports on time, they don't get panicky and they don't lodge complaint," said Swaraj. The External Affairs Minister had declared June 24 as 'Passport Seva Divas' every year to commemorate the enactment of Passport Act in 1967.

Meanwhile, Swaraj highlighted the need to provide better passport services to the people. "The government has changed and people will get to know only if they get proper services. People will read in the newspaper and see on television about your big achievements. People hope to see a change in the services with the change in the government," Swaraj added. A mobile-based passport service had also been launched, which offered tracking of application status and location of passport service centres as well as general information. 

Sources l Agency: ANI

Excerpts from the interview with Pune's new and dynamic Regional Passport Officer, Atul Gotsurve.

BS Post: 110 , Dated :  June 23, 2014 

Atul Gotsurve, the new Regional Passport Officer of Pune Division, who has been following our campaign since March 2013, speaks on the vibrant changes that match the recommendations Moneylife had made to improve the passport office.

Moneylife has been consistently campaigning for an efficient Passport office in Pune through its news columns and with activists on the ground since March 2013. We are happy to report a major success, just over one year down the line. Moneylife, thanks the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)’s Passport Seva Kendra and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)’s Passport Division, which is in a public-private-partnership (PPP) for accepting and implementing most of our recommendations to make the procurement of passport smooth sailing for the applicants.

Gotsurve is indeed a pleasant face for passport applicants, he is approachable and has had international exposure as an officer in various Indian embassies around the world. His commitment to citizens' needs come across clearly. He takes fast decisions and implements them, thus making things easier and quickly so. This in itself is an impact of the Moneylife campaign as the Delhi office decided to send an officer who would be citizen-sensitive.

Just to recall, the main problems at the Pune Passport Office were: difficulty in getting online appointments for Tatkal as well as normal passports; continuously turning away passport applicants on the pretext of lacking or wrong documents; asking applicants to get attested copies from lawyers despite submitting photocopy of the original document; ill informed TCS staffers at Counter “A” who had hardly any knowledge of how to checkvalidity of documents; rude behaviour by the passport staffers and security; menace of passport agents; citizens complaints’ attended to only on two days a week and in many cases turned back; inordinate delays in procurement of passports; sometimes delay of over a year; confusion amongst student applicants and migrant applicants regarding address proof; no shelter or provision of toilets and water for the applicants, many of whom also come from other districts which fall in the Pune Passport Division. Moneylife's suggestions were aimed at dealing with these hurdles.

Excerpts from the interview with Pune's new and dynamic Regional Passport Officer, Atul Gotsurve.

Moneylife: While there are minimal complaints regarding appointments for the normal passport, has there been any improvement made for the Tatkalonline appointments which is a major problem?

Atul Gotsurve (AG): You will be surprised to know that presently the daily Tatkal 

quota of 110 reserved for it, is not being 100% utilised – it stops many a times at 105. This is because, I held about three passport melas to reduce the backlog in the last two months and processed more than 500 Tatkal applications each day during the melas. Besides, passport applicants used to opt for Tatkal because they used to fear inordinate delays if they applied for a normal passport. Earlier, 70-80 applicants used to be rejected at the Passport Seva Kendra due to lack of documents and were asked to once again go through the appointment process. I have rectified this – now, not a single applicant is sent back home or asked to take a fresh appointment. His biometrics, checking of documents and every other process is completed. He is then asked as to when he or she would like to come and submit the required documents. We immediately give the applicant, the next date, as per his/her convenience. I am proud to say that Pune processes the largest number of passport applications in the country – 1,150 applications per day.

Moneylife: What about the long lines at your office everyday, of citizens visiting to solve their problems regarding their application and many of them being turned away due to the short visiting period – just two hours, for only three days in a week?

AG: Now, applicants can visit on every working day between 10:30am and 12:30pm, except on Wednesdays. Besides me, there are three more officers who entertain visitors and solve their problems. Even on Wednesdays, we do not turn away people. Someone or the other attends to them. You can see for yourself that the crowd outside the office has considerably reduced.

Moneylife: The problem of outstation passport applicants has been a major complaint as they are asked to keep coming several times. This is a real harassment for them.

AG: We have taken care of that too. There are clear instructions that after the first visit of the outstation passport applicant, subsequently, the communication would strictly be through mail and SMS.

Moneylife: While you have improved submission of application and payment online, what about those who are not e-literate?

AG: Firstly, I would like to say that even the most educated and Internet-friendly are

sometimes digitally illiterate, especially about reading instructions and requirements of documents. Each applicant must thoroughly read the requirements, particularly the fact that we need address proof of one year when applying for passport, which means the person should have resided in that address for a minimum of one year. On 26th May, I have issued a press release to this effect stating: “Passport office, Pune appeals to all passport applicants in Pune, Satara, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Sangli and Kolhapur districts to kindly mention al the addresses they were/ are staying at since the last one year from the date of application. This will avoid delays in the application processing and also avoid imposition of a penalty up to Rs5,000 as it will be considered as suppression of facts.”

For those who are not e-savvy, we would be providing them professional services for Rs100 per application. Soon, we are launching such a citizen cell.

Moneylife: What about migrants who work as professionals in Pune or are married and live here?

AG: For those who are migrants, I agree that address proof is a problem. I have proposed that their proof of address should not be made mandatory – they should get four of the 10 documents required for proof. I expect positive response for this from MEA shortly.

Moneylife: What about passport agents who continue to flourish?

AG: We have made an appeal through our website not to encourage passport agents as they are illegal entities. I would like to reiterate that we will provide all help to applicants to ensure that they get their passports trouble-free. They should change their conditioning that agents will quickly give them passport appointments and passports – it may be the reverse, besides duping them of their hard earned money.

Moneylife: What about students? What is the procedure of address proof for them to get their passports?

AG: Students studying in Pune and staying away from their parents’ house should clearly mention their current address while applying. For proof of residence at their hostel/ place of stay, either they should provide a letter from the Principal/ Warden or proof of residence of the guardian with whom they are staying with the guardianship affidavit. Proof of their parents’ address also needs to be submitted (i.e. permanent address). Failure to mention the previous/ current addresses will lead to imposition of penalty of up to Rs5,000 for suppression of facts.

Moneylife: We still see hundreds of passport applicants standing in the hot sun for hours on the footpath at the Mundhwa office? What about some convenience for them, which Moneylife had recommended?

AG: You will be glad to know, that within two to three weeks, we are putting up a shelter inside the premises of the Passport Seva Kendra and toilets too. We are also working towards a room where outstation applicants can freshen up when they reach the place. We have already installed a TV and newspapers, and would be opening a mini library. You will be happy to know that we are also lobbying with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for a bus shuttle service on three routes – Shivajinagar-Corporation-Station-Mundhwa, Katraj-Swargate-Mundhwa, and Kothrud-Deccan-Mundhwa. We will do everything to ensure that passport application is a pleasant experience for the applicant.

( for more details contact Mr Atul Gotsurve at 020-25679962 or 25675422. Email: rpo.pune@mea.gov.in)

News Sources (ML - VINITA DESHMUKH | 23/06/2014  ) 

PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI TO SIMPLIFYING THE PROCESS OF ATTESTATION OF DOCUMENTS.

BS Post: 109, Dated :  June 8, 2014 

Govt may drop attestation of documents by gazetted officers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked bureaucrats to repeal all laws and rules which come in the way of effective governance. A look at what is planned:

The PM has suggested government departments to do away with attestation of certificates by gazetted officers; instead, documents should be self-attested. Original documents, in any case, are required to be produced in the final stages of any government work, bureaucrats said.

He has suggested to bureaucrats technology should be adopted in a big way. All rules and by-laws, which hamper the effective use of technology, should be done away with, the PM has suggested.

Modi has directed officers to identify 10 rules that can be scrapped or revisited, to make them more effective in current times. Officers are supposed to prepare a dossier of such rules and present them for review.

He has proposed rules regarding the transfer and postings of officers be changed to ensure continuity of service.

Sources: 

http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/govt-may-drop-attestation-of-documents-by-gazetted-officers-114060600961_1.html

Ahmedabad: Hindu-Muslims mobs clash on the eve of Modi's swearing-in.

BS Post: 108, Dated : 26th May 2014

Read more here –  http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ahmedabad-hindumuslims-mobs-clash-on-the-eve-of-modis-swearingin/474480-3-238.html

Ahmedabad: Police fired tear gas to break up clashes between Hindu and Muslim mobs in Narendra Modi's heartland of Gujarat on the eve of his swearing in as Prime Minister, officials said on Monday.

Angry crowds set fire to several shops and vehicles and pelted stones at each other during the clashes in western Gujarat state's main city of Ahmedabad on Sunday night, police and fire officials said.

Ahmedabad joint police commissioner Manoj Shashidhar said officers fired tear gas to halt the violence which left four people injured.

Shashidhar said an investigation was under way into the clashes which appear to have started when two cars from the different communities crashed in an accident during a marriage procession.

"The incident flared up following a petty argument between people of two communities on Sunday night in Gomtipur area of the city. The situation was immediately brought under control," Shashidhar told AFP.

Indian police secure the site of clashes between two groups during which shops and vechiles were set alight in the Gomptipur area of Ahmedabad on late May 25, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP - 

Indian police secure the site of clashes between two groups during which shops and vechiles were set alight in the Gomptipur area of Ahmedabad on late May 25, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP -

Indian police secure the site of clashes between two groups during which shops and vechiles were set alight in the Gomptipur area of Ahmedabad on late May 25, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP - 

Indian police secure the site of clashes between two groups during which shops and vechiles were set alight in the Gomptipur area of Ahmedabad on late May 25, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP - 

The incident escalated when mobs set property on fire, Ahmedabad chief fire officer M.S Dastur told AFP.

"Some three shops, one mini-bus and a couple of two wheelers were burnt during the incident," Dastur said.

The clashes came as Hindu nationalist Modi, chief minister of Gujarat for 13 years, was set to be sworn as premier on Monday after a landslide victory at elections as head of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Modi has pledged national unity as he attempts to revive the faltering economy, but he remains tainted by anti-Muslim riots on his watch in Gujarat in 2002 that left at least 1,000 people, mainly Muslims, dead.

Modi has denied wrongdoing and a court investigation found he has no case to answer.

But some members of religious minorities fear a rise in communal tensions under a Modi government and warn they will be sidelined at the expense of the Hindu majority.

PRESIDENT APPOINTS CABINET MINISTERS, MINISTERS OF STATE(INDEPENDENT CHARGE) AND MINISTERS OF STATE

BS Post: 107, Dated : 26th May 2014

PRESS COMMUNIQUE : Rashtrapati Bhavan : 26-05-2014

PRESIDENT APPOINTS CABINET MINISTERS, MINISTERS OF STATE(INDEPENDENT CHARGE) AND MINISTERS OF STATE

The President of India has appointed Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi as the Prime Minister of India. Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has appointed the following as members of the Council of Ministers:-

CABINET MINISTERS

1. Shri Raj Nath Singh

2. Smt. Sushma Swaraj

3. Shri Arun Jaitley

4. Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu

5. Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari

6. Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda

7. Sushri Uma Bharati

8. Dr. Najma A. Heptulla

9. Shri Gopinathrao Munde

10. Shri Ramvilas Paswan

11. Shri Kalraj Mishra

12. Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

13. Shri Ananthkumar

14. Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad

15. Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati

16. Shri Anant Geete

17. Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal

18. Shri Narendra Singh Tomar

19. Shri Jual Oram

20. Shri Radha Mohan Singh

21. Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot

22. Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani

23. Dr. Harsh Vardhan

MINISTERS OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

1. General V.K. Singh

2. Shri Inderjit Singh Rao

3. Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar

4. Shri Shripad Yesso Naik

5. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan

6. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal

7. Shri Prakash Javadekar

8. Shri Piyush Goyal

9. Dr. Jitendra Singh

10. Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman

MINISTERS OF STATE

1. Shri G.M. Siddeshwara

2. Shri Manoj Sinha

3. Shri Nihalchand

4. Shri Upendra Kushwaha

5. Shri Radhakrishnan P

6. Shri Kiren Rijiju

7. Shri Krishan Pal

8. Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan

9. Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava

10. Shri Raosaheb Dadarao Danve

11. Shri Vishnu Deo Sai

12. Shri Sudarshan Bhagat

The President administered the oaths of office and secrecy to the above members of the Council of Ministers at a ceremony held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, today.

President of India dedicates ‘RUPAY’ to the nation.

BS Post: 106, Dated : 8th May 2014, Place : Mumbai.

08-May-2014, Press Information Bureau ,Government of India, President's Secretariat 

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee dedicated ‘RuPay’ India’s own card payment network to the nation today (May 8, 2014) at function at Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

Speaking on the occasion, the President congratulated the Reserve Bank of India for having envisioned the need for such an indigenously managed service in 2005 and for entrusting this task to the National Payments Corporation soon after its operationalization in 2010. He said that it usually takes five to seven years to build a fully functional card payment network. He was happy to note that the NPCI could make the RuPay service operational by April 2013. 

The President said creativity lies in developing products meeting the special needs of the customers by the issuing banks. For a large country like India with a rapidly growing economy, the volume of payment transactions, specially those settled through cards, will be significant in the years ahead. Transactions which are mostly settled today either by way of cash or cheque will progressively make way for card based payment transactions as the economy matures and internet penetration increases. An indigenous system like RuPay will not only reduce the dependence on cash and cheque modes of settlement but will also make it easier to offer products based on specific requirements of diverse user sets within the country. 

The President said that seven million cards issued so far is only a fraction of the potential. Launch of milk procurement pre-paid card by milk procurement agencies or grain procurement agencies in Punjab are other such variants of the card payment mechanism which only a card payment system developed within the country can appreciate and implement faster. Dedication of RuPay to the nation is thus symbolic of the maturity of the payment system development in India and contribution of the National Payments Corporation of India to nation building. 

The President felicitated Shri A. P. Hota, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NPCI. He also presented appreciation plaques to 17 banks for their contribution in connection with RuPay card. 

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Shri G. S. Sandhu, Secretary, Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Shri K.R. Kamath, Chairman, Indian Bank Association and Shri Balachandran M., Chairman, National Payments Corporation of India. 

Passport services to remain suspended at Payyannur, Kannur, and Vadakara passport seva kendras.

BS Post: 105, Dated : 1st April 2014, Place : Mumbai, .

Services in passport offices will remain curtailed form April 9 to 11, as many employees will be away for election duty.

Passport Officer K.P. Madhusodanan said the restrictions would be in force from April 9 to 11 due to staff shortage. The working of passport seva kendras at Payyannur, Kannur, and Vadakara would remain suspended during this period.

But emergency passport services would be available on appointment at Passport Seva Kendra at West Hill, Kozhikode. For this, the request should be made online. Applicants for usual services have been requested to avoid contacting the Passport Seva Kendras at Payyannur, Kannur, and Vadakara during this period.

Supreme Court asks Centre to withdraw orders making Aadhar mandatory for any service.

BS Post: 104, Dated : 24 March 2014, Place : Mumbai, .

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to explain why Aadhaar cards were still being treated as mandatory for people who wished to get their marriages and properties registered or get gas connections.

The order came after the Centre told a bench of justice BS Chauhan and justice SA Bobde that securing an Aadhaar number was voluntary.

The Supreme Court had in September last year said no person will be denied welfare benefits, various services and subsidies for not possessing the Aadhaar number and also asked the government to ensure that the cards were not issued to illegal migrants.

The SC on Monday directed the central government to withdraw all its orders making the unique identification number mandatory for people for availing government services.

The apex court also asked the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) not to share information of the Aadhaar card holders with any government outfit.

Launched in February 2009 at a projected cost of Rs. 15,000 crore, Aadhaar is designed to provide every resident in India a unique 12-digit identity number.

Passport Seva goes rural through Common Services Centers

BS Post: 103, Dated : 06 March 2014, Place : Mumbai, .

06-March-2014 PIB GoI.

The Ministry of External Affairs, along with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited {which is promoted by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY)}, is all set to launch Passport related services through the vast network of over one lakh Common Services Centers (CSCs) across rural hinterland. The initiative would largely bridge the digital divide in the country. 

The CSC Scheme was approved by the Government of India in September 2006 for setting up of 100,000+ (One Lakh+) Internet enabled centers in rural areas under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP). The CSCs are the delivery points for Government, Private and Social Sector services in the areas of agriculture, health, education, banking, insurance, pension, utility bill payments, entertainment, etc. to rural citizens of India at their doorstep. The passport related services are being added as part of their bouquet of services. 

Under the Passport Seva, the Ministry of External affairs has made it mandatory to complete the entire form filing process on-line, including payment of applicable fee and scheduling of appointment for seeking Passport related services. The CSCs would facilitate filling and uploading of Passport application form, payment of applicable fee (through debit/credit card or through SBI internet banking/challan mode) and scheduling of appointment for the visit to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at nominal charge not exceeding Rs. 100/-. As per the appointment schedule, an applicant will have to visit the PSK for completion of application submission process (including collection of digital photographs/biometrics, verification of supporting documents and approval). The services through CSCs would be available throughout the week, including during the weekend. 

The services would be shortly launched in pilot mode at 15 select CSC locations in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand in the second week of March 2014. The full roll out across the country is expected to conclude by end of March 2014. 

Passport Seva to be launched for rural areas.

BS Post: 102, Dated : 05 March 2014, Place : Mumbai.

The Ministry of External Affairs, along with CSC e-Governance Service India Limited is all set to launch passport related services through the vast network of over 1 lakh Common Service Centers (CSCs) across rural hinterland.

The services would be shortly launched in pilot mode at 15 select CSC locations in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand in the second week of March 2014. The full roll-out across the country is expected to conclude by end of March 2014.

The initiative would largely bridge the digital divide in the country. CSC e-Governance Service India Limited is promoted by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India (GoI). The CSC Scheme was approved by the GoI in September 2006 for setting up of 1 lakh-plus Internet enabled centers in rural areas under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP). The CSCs are the delivery points for Government, private and social sector services in the areas of agriculture, health, education, banking, insurance, pension, utility bill payments, entertainment, etc., to rural citizens of India at their doorstep. The passport related services are being added as part of their bouquet of services.

Under the Passport Seva, the Ministry has made it mandatory to complete the entire form filling process on-line, including payment of applicable fee and scheduling of appointment for seeking passport related services.

The CSCs would facilitate filling and uploading of passport application form, payment of applicable fee (through debit/credit card or through SBI internet banking/challan mode) and scheduling of appointment for the visit to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at a nominal charge not exceeding Rs.100/-. As per the appointment schedules, an applicant will have to visit the PSK for completion of application submission process (including collection of digital photographs/ biometrics, verification of supporting documents and approval).

The services through CSCs would be available throughout the week, including during the weekend.

IAAI’s AGM 2014 to be held on March 8-9 in Chennai.To focus on “factors affecting sustainability of agents”

BS Post: 101, Dated : 26 February 2014, Place : Mumbai.

The IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI) is all set to organise its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Ambassador Pallava hotel in Chennai on March 8 and 9, 2014. This year’s AGM will witness a series of workshops and seminars on various aspects of the Indian travel and tourism industry. The Association is expecting the presence of over 200 IAAI members, including distinguished members of the industry, at the AGM. The preparations for the AGM are being looked after by T Gopakumar, Director, South India, IAAI and S Faisal, Chairman, Airline Affairs Committee, India, IAAI. Speaking about the AGM, Biji Eapen, National President, IAAI, said, “The forthcoming AGM is very important for IAAI. First, we have to get ratified all our deeds and activities held last year. Then we will present new activities and action plan for 2014, which has to be approved. This AGM will be mainly focusing on the “factors affecting sustainability of agents” providing more significance to “commission issue” and “weekly payment” system. Member’s comments, suggestions and criticisms are vital for us to streamline and formulate a strategy and to prepare the course of action. And significantly, our AGM is opened to press and media too, who have the freedom to intervene and demand clarifications". IAAI's AGM will discuss issues on agency commission, its present situation based on the social, political, governmental and legal stand. The other topics to be deliberated on at the AGM include implementation of Resolution 818g,  Ticket stock withdrawal by airlines, APJC- India: induction of IAAI and NDC (New Distribution Challenges), etc. Talking about the current state of industry, Eapen stated, “Travel industry is facing a very dangerous situation. The zero commission regime has led to the closure of few travel agencies and has affected the entire industry. The present scenario of weekly payment system will definitely wipe out another 30 per cent of ordinary agents. Indian travellers, especially corporate, used to avail maximum credit facilities. Many times, even the credit period used to extend up to one month. Today, seven days of business and next day you payment has to be made. Till December 2013, agents used to get 14 days credit period. Hence, agents will be in a real fix. The new financial guarantee will be another danger and finally NDC". IAAI, since its inception in 2001, is playing a major role in bringing agency commission for agents from airlines. As a result, many airlines and offices of Indian government have also come up with favourable solutions for agents.  Elaborating on their future strategies, Eapen said, “IAAI has a vision and mission. Presently, restoring agency commission is our first task. We will ensure and enforce the law of the land that each and every travel agent in India should get full remuneration from the airlines operating in India. And, we will have to reinstate the five per cent commission which prevailed in 2008.” "We have already discussed with many foreign airlines and all are of the opinion that they do not have any second opinion, provided, the national carrier implement the same.  Ultimately, the national carrier should take this initiative, which they won’t do because of their membership entry into Star Alliance. Hence, we may have to force Air India and government authorities to reinstate agency commission. The AGM will discuss the process and action plan and accordingly we will formulate the strategy,” said D L Jekannathan, General Secretary, IAAI. "We have to ensure that every agent should have ticket stock of all airlines operating in India," added S Saldanha, National Treasurer, IAAI. By Anish V Punnackattu | New Delhi

No Change in Refund Rules Pertaining to Cancellation of Confirmed Train Tickets

BS Post: 100, Dated : 25 February 2014, Place : Mumbai.

Press Information Bureau Government of India, Ministry of Railways,  24-February-2014 

                     A section of media, have published news regarding changes in the Railway Refund Rules. In this regard, the Ministry of Railways  clarifies that there has been no change in the Refund Rules which have been notified in June 2013 and have been brought into force with effect from 1^st July, 2013. According to the notified refund rules, passengers on a confirmed ticket can avail refund upto 50% of the fare provided the ticket is cancelled within 2 hours of the departure of the train.

For the purpose of clarification, the refund rules relating to cancellation of unused confirmed reserved tickets are summarized here below:-

    i.            if the ticket is presented for cancellation more than forty eight hours in advance of the scheduled departure of the train, a minimum per passenger cancellation charge shall be deducted at the flat rate of rupees one hundred and twenty for air-conditioned first class/executive class, rupees one hundred for air-conditioned-II tier/first class, rupees ninety for air-conditioned III-tier/ 3 economy/air-conditioned chair car, rupees sixty for sleeper class and rupees thirty for second class.

ii.            if the ticket is presented for cancellation between forty eight hours and upto six hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation charge shall be twenty five per cent of the fare subject to a minimum of the cancellation charge.            

 iii.            if the ticket is presented for cancellation within six hours before departure and upto two hours after the actual departure of the train, the cancellation charge shall be fifty per cent of the fare subject to a minimum of the cancellation charge.

 iv.            No refund shall be granted on the reserved ticket if it is surrendered for cancellation after two hours of the actual departure of the train.                 

Passengers may continue to avail refund of confirmed tickets under the above rules as there is no change in the Refund Rules.

     

Again the refund rules relating to cancellation of Unused waitlisted or RAC tickets are summarized here below:-

If a Waitlisted/RAC ticket is presented for cancellation, refund of fare shall be admissible after deducting the clerkage as per following:- 

a.             The ticket is presented for cancellation upto three hours after the actual departure of the train irrespective of the distance.

b.            The passenger may get the tickets cancelled from any PRS counters or the designated current counters.

c.             No refund of fare shall be granted on RAC ticket /Waitlisted ticket after three hours of the actual departure of the train.

d.            In case no current counters are available at journey originating station for night trains leaving between 21.00 hours and 06.00 hours(actual departure , refund shall be admissible at the station within first two hours after the opening of reservation office.

e.            In remote and hill areas as identified by the Zonal Railways with the prior approval of the General Managers and print in their Time Tables for train leaving between 1900 hours and 0600 hours (actual departure) refund shall be admissible at the station within first two hours after the opening of reservation/booking office, in case there is no reservation counters/booking office/ current counters. Available in that area.

Similarly, the refund rules relating to cancellation of e-tickets and Tatkal Tickets have also been notified which are effective from July 1, 2013.

Further, under special circumstances like bandhs or agitations or floods, etc. where the passengers could not reach the reservation counters or stations for cancellation of tickets, a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt) shall be issued to the passenger upto three days after the scheduled departure of the train and the passengers may apply for refund of fare within ten days from the scheduled commencement of journey to the Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds), of the Zonal Railway concerned. The refund application shall then be considered on its merits based on the circumstances of the case.

Commercial circular no. 6 of 2014 dated 21.2.2014 is an internal circular seeking to remove the inconsistency between the computerised application (based on earlier circular of 2004) and the notified refund rules. Under this circular of 21.02.2014, CRIS has been advised to make requisite changes in the computerised PRS application so that the computerised application is aligned and made consistent with the Refund Rules and to ensure that the refunds are issued in accordance with the notified rules.

Passengers shall continue to get refunds across the counters for all waitlisted and confirmed tickets as per refund rules provided such refunds are sought within the prescribed time limits.