Traffic Commercial:Directorate

Hindi Version

COMMERCIAL CIRCULAR NO. 27 OF 2003

Government Of India/Bharat Sarkar
Ministry of Railways/Rail Mantralaya
(Railway Board)

New Delhi, dated 9.4.2003

No. TCII/2704/2003/Policy.

COMMERCIAL CIRCULAR NO. 27 OF 2003

To
General Managers,
All Indian Railways

Sub: Concession to Accredited Press Correspondents in Rajdhani/ Shatabdi group of trains.

Reference rule 244 of IRCA Coaching Tariff No. 25, Part I (Vol. I) regarding issue of concessional coupon books to press correspondents accredited to Headquarters of Government of India, State Governments, Union Territories and Districts.

2. Ministry of Railways have decided (i) to remove the distance limit for place of residence being within 25 kms of the concerned capital/headquarter for issue of concession coupon books to press correspondents, (ii) that the coupon books will be valid for unlimited travel in a year (instead of the present limit of 30,000 kms per annum) and (iii) to grant 30% concession in the all-inclusive fares of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi group of trains. There is no change in other terms & conditions mentioned in the above rule.

3. The Zonal Railways will print new series of coupon books on the same pattern as the existing ones. In the middle of top cover of coupon books, the words “2003 SERIES” will be printed diagonally in bold letters and these words in normal size will also be printed diagonally on each coupon.

4. As against the system of selling coupon books at half rates, the new series of coupon books will be sold at full rates without any concession, from different stations in accordance with the rules mentioned above. These coupon books will be valid for purchasing tickets for Mail/Express as well as Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi group of trains. The concessional fare shall be calculated in the same way as other concessions (like Senior Citizens). As against the existing system (wherein the basic fare is collected through coupons & other charges are collected in cash), now the total fare of ticket will be collected through coupons of new series.

5. The new series of coupon books shall be sold to accredited Press Correspondents w.e.f 1.5.2003 and the tickets will also be issued against them from the same date. The zonal railways shall ensure that printing of new series of coupon books on the pattern of the existing coupon books is done on top priority. it must be ensured that the new series of coupon books are printed and supplied to concerned stations latest by 25.4.2003.

6. The existing rule No. 244 of the above mentioned Coaching Tariff has been revised. A copy of the revised rule in bi-lingual is enclosed with this letter for use by Railways. The revised rules may be circulated to all concerned. These rules will, as at present, be printed in Coupon Books also.

7. The existing coupons books, already sold at 50% concession, shall be valid for purchasing tickets for Mail/Express trains for journeys commencing upto 30.4.2003 only. Thereafter, these coupon books will not be valid and only the new 2003 series of coupon books will be valid. On surrendering the existing coupon books at the station of their issue, the Press Correspondents will be granted full refund of the value of unused coupons in them, after detecting the element of 50% concession i.e. Rs.500 will be refunded on surrendering coupons worth Rs.1000, provided that the validity period of the coupon book has not expired. Refund will be allowed for three months from 1.5.2003 to 31.7.2003 only. Thereafter no refund will be granted under any circumstances.

8. Necessary instructions may be issued to all concerned including PRSs immediately and compliance ensured. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways. Wide publicity through various media may be given. Also please check these instructions in e-mail inbox. Timely printing and supply of coupon books may be ensured. The receipt of this message may be acknowledged.

(A.K. Goyal)
Exe. Director (Passenger Marketing)
Railway Board

RULE

244 Rail travel coupons for accredited Press Correspondents.

244.1 (1) Press Correspondents accredited to the Headquarters of Government of India, State Governments, Union Territories and Districts shall be issued coupon books of specified money value at full rates, as per their demand, for unlimited travel on Indian Railways on bonafide press work. These coupon books shall be issued on production of the under-mentioned certificate. This certificate has to be produced within one month from the date of issue. The coupon book will be issued only in favour of a single correspondent by name.

Form of Certificate

I hereby certify that Shri/Smt. __________________ is a Press Correspondent accredited to the Headquarters of the Government of India or Headquarters of State Government/Union Territory/District of ______________ , and recommend that the coupon books may be issued on the condition that it will be used by him/her only for journeys for the work as a Press Correspondent.

It is also certified that the cost of journey will be borne by the person concerned and no TA/DA will be claimed from the employer.

_________________________

Dy. Principal Information Officer Govt. of India, New Delhi.

Director of Publicity of State