AIRF : Validation of Privilege/Post Retirement Complimentary Passes/PTOs in Festival/Special Trains

AIRF : Validation of Privilege/Post Retirement Complimentary Passes/PTOs in Festival/Special Trains

No.AIRF/82(226)

Dated: March 30, 2021

The Chairman-Cum-CEO,
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Validation of Privilege/Post Retirement Complimentary Passes/PTOs in Festival/Special Trains

This refers to AIRF’s letter bearing number even dated 21st December, 2020, on the above-mentioned subject. As explained therein, Privilege/Post Retirement Complimentary Passes/Privilege Ticket Orders(PTOs) are issued to Railway Servants, in exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution, to travel by the trains.

Prior to the lockdown, that was invoked w.e.f. 24/25.03.2020, due to COVID-19 Pandemic outbreak, in the country, all the Railway Employees(both Serving and Retired) were enjoying benefit of travelling in the trains, and there were only some restrictions on travelling in Rajdhani/Duronto/Shatabdi Express Trains. Now, a large-number of trains have resumed operation, but the same are running with the tag of “Special/Festival Trains” and Railway Passholder Employees(both Serving and Retired) are restricted to avail reservations at the scale of Rajdhani/Duronto/Shatabdi Express Trains in terms of Railway Board’s letter No.E(W)2016/PS 5-1/10 dated 12.07.2017(RBE No.68/2017), which is highly unfair and unjustified.

Railway Employees have been enjoying facility of travel in the trains on Railway Passes/PTOs since British Era, unfortunately, this privilege is now being virtually denied by restricting their reservations at the scale of Rajdhani/ Duronto/Shatabdi Express Trains, in other Ordinary Express Trains also which are being operated with the tag of “Special Trains”. There is, therefore, serious resentment amongst the Railway Employees on this account. It may also be noted that, holiday season is just to start for school going children of Railway Employees, and they are likely to face avoidable hardship due to the aforementioned restriction of reservation in the trains.

AIRF, therefore, desires that the aforesaid restriction of reservation at the scale of Rajdhani/Duronto/Shatabdi Express Trains should be abolished forthwith in all the trains expect Rajdhani/Duronto/Shatabdi/Hamsafar Express Trains, so that, Railwaymen and their famiy members can plan their journeys in a hassle-free manner.

This may please be treated as “Most Urgent”.

Yours faithfully,
(Shiv Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary

Source : AIRF