Travel Concessions for the differently abled persons

CONCESSIONS OFFERED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO THE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Travel concessions for the differently abled persons

(a) By Train

As per the order of Ministry of Railways, Government of India, the following concessions are available for the disabled:

(i) Blind Person

The blind person travelling alone or with an escort, on production of a certificate from Government doctor or a registered medical practitioner, is eligible to get the concession as below:

Element of Concession

The concession certificate may be issued by the Station Master on collection of the certificate form and the copy of original certificate duly attested by a Gazetted Officer, M.P., M.L.A, etc. may be produced while collecting the ticket. The blind person may not be present at the station for purchase of the ticket.

(ii) Orthopaedically Handicapped Person

The orthopaedically handicapped person travelling with an escort, on production of a certificate from a Government doctor to the effect that the person concerned is orthopaedically handicapped and cannot travel without the assistance of an escort, is eligible for getting concession.

All categories of Orthopaedically Handicapped persons/patients accompanied by escort, when travelling for admission or on discharge from hospital where the O.H. persons are treated or for consultation with Medical Expert, on production of a certificate from a government doctor/orthopaedic surgeon that the person is a bonafide O.H. person and he cannot travel without

an escort for availing concession.

(iii) Deaf & Dumb Person

A Deaf & Dumb person travelling alone (both afflictions together in the same person) on production of a certificate from a government doctor is eligible for the concession.

Notes : (i) A deaf person is allowed 50% concession in railway fare both in first and second class, but concession is not available for the escort.

1. 1. A deaf & dumb person is permitted to travel by 2 -tier A.C. Sleeper on payment of concessional fare for first class and full surcharge for 2-tier A.C. Sleeper).

(iv) Mentally Retarded Person

A Mentally Retarded person, accompanied by an escort, on production of a certificate in the prescribed form, from a government doctor, is eligible to get the concession.

Note : Mentally Retarded person is permitted to travel by 2-tier A.C. Sleeper on payment of concessional fare for first class and full surcharge for 2-tier A.C. Sleeper. Facility of issue of concessional return ticket will also be available in one month from the date of commencement of outward journey. M.R. Person should be given preference in allotment of coupe on reservation in first class, if required. Free ticket for one escort is available for every two persons in the same class of carriage whether they hold adult or half ticket.

All the concessional fares shall be calculated on the basis of the basic railway fare for the journey. No person/party will be allowed more than one concession at one time.

The holder of a concession ticket will not be permitted to change the ticket to a higher class by paying the difference except in the case of T.B. and Cancer patient, leprosy patient, etc. The break-up journey shall not be allowed on a concession ticket for a specific journey, for example, students travelling for an examination centre, patient travelling to/from a hospital, professor travelling from/to a conference, etc. The break journey will be allowed only if it is a natural event. During break journey, the passenger has to endorse the ticket alongwith Station Master’s initial, date and station code. Refund of the untravelled journey on such tickets will not be allowed.

(b) By Air

(i) Blind Persons

The Indian Airlines Corporation allows 50 percent concessional fare to blind persons on single journey or single fare round trip journey on all domestic flights. To avail this facility (for blind persons) they have to produce a certificate rom a medical practitioner. Air Hostess/Steward will look after the blind persons not accompanied by escorts in flight. The Public Relation Officer or the Traffic Officer Incharge at the airport will tender necessary assistance to such infirm passengers at the airport. Escorts are to pay full fare. This concession cannot be combined with any other concessional fare allowed by the Indian Airlines.

(ii) Locomotor Disability

Locomotor Disabled persons (80% and above) are allowed following concessions in Indian Airlines :

(a) 50% of Normal Economy Class INR Fare or Point to Point Fare. Full Inland Air Travel Tax and Passenger Service Fee applicable.

(b) 50% of INR fare applicable to foreigners resident in India for travel on Domestic Sectors. Full Inland Air Travel Tax and Passenger Service Fee applicable.