19 lakh people opted for this Indian Railways scheme; now, 'Give It Up' is back

Days after, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to the United Kingdom lauded 40 lakh people for voluntarily giving up age-related train fare concessions, by adopting the ‘Give it up’ scheme. Now, the Indian Railways has decided to extend its 'Give it up' scheme for the senior citizens to offset its nearly Rs 33,000 crore subsidy burden in annual passenger fares.  The decision was taken in the backdrop of the success of the scheme between July 22, 2017, and March 31, 2018. Under the scheme, at least 19 lakh senior citizens gave up the concession that is offered to them. Of these 19 lakh senior citizens, more than 10 lakh were those who gave up 100 per cent concession and the remaining 9 lakh had given 50 per cent of their concession. This helped the Railways to save more than Rs 32 crore during the aforementioned period. 

Since its launch in August 2016, the national transporter has saved around Rs 77 crore.  According to reports, Railway Ministry official has said, “We realised that in 2016 when we were telling people to give up their concession by 100 per cent, many did not do. In 2017, when we gave them the option of giving up 50 per cent, many came forward”. The official added, "The facility is completely voluntary and now they’re preparing a campaign to encourage more such concession holders to come forward”.   In addition, the railways will send a personalised letter by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to each senior citizen who gives away their subsidy, even if in parts. 

Passenger Fare Concessions of Indian Railways
The Indian Railways extends passenger fare concessions in 53 categories and they include passengers with cancer, disabilities, war widows, students, thalassemia, heart and kidney ailments among others.  Besides, the Indian Railways is also in the process to set up a website on which it will update the money saved by the Railways as well as the data on senior citizens who gave up their subsidy. It will be a real-time update. The website will also carry testimonials from them.