08-08-2010
The ‘Izzat’ scheme of the Indian Railways, which was introduced in the Railway Budget this year, seems to have no takers in Chandigarh.
The ‘Izzat’ scheme of the Indian Railways, which was introduced in the Railway Budget this year, seems to have no takers in Chandigarh.
The scheme was introduced to provide an inexpensive travel option to people working in the unorganised sector.
Under the scheme, uniformly priced Monthly Season Tickets (MST) are issued for a distance up to 100 km to persons whose monthly income does not exceed Rs 1,500. The price — Rs 25 — is inclusive of all surcharges.
It has been about a month and a half since the scheme was launched, but nobody from the city has applied for it. The situation is same at the 136 other railway stations under the Ambala division — only one passenger has been issued this monthly pass.
Railway officials say one of the reasons for the poor response is the paperwork involved in the process.
According to rules, an Izzat MST is to be issued on production of an income certificate from a District Magistrate or area MP, or after a Union Minister or Rajya Sabha MP recommends it to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM).
The DRM is empowered to issue the income certificate, but only in “exceptional circumstances”.
“The scheme is for persons employed in the unorganised sector, who are not literate and avoid paperwork. Also, more paperwork brings more red tape,” Chandigarh Station Superintendent R K Datta said.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/stuck-in-red-tape-izzat-scheme-of-railway/516489/
The DRM is empowered to issue the income certificate, but only in “exceptional circumstances”.
“The scheme is for persons employed in the unorganised sector, who are not literate and avoid paperwork. Also, more paperwork brings more red tape,” Chandigarh Station Superintendent R K Datta said.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/stuck-in-red-tape-izzat-scheme-of-railway/516489/
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