40% railway concession for transgenders above 60

STRAP:  The railways have decided to grant 40% concession in passenger fares to transgender senior citizens.

NP NEWS 24 ONLINE-  It is not easy to face the world when you are constantly being looked down upon for your sexuality. Almost every other transgender person has to face the abusive behaviour in the society they live in. After striking down Section 377, Supreme Court judgment may have brought transgender on the equal footing with other citizens.

Recently, Central Railway spokesperson Sunil Udasi said the concession for third gender person aged 60 years and plus will be available from New Year’s Day.

Till now, such a concession was allowable for men who are 60 years and above, and for women aged 58 years and above. The rate of concession is 40% for men and 50 per cent for women. Though a column for transgender (T) was introduced in the reservation form, the concession was not admissible to them.

The railways offer concessions on ticket prices to 53 different categories, ranging from 10-100%. While students going to their hometown or educational tours can avail a concession of 50% in second and sleeper class, students hailing from Scheduled Tribes can avail a concession of 75%. Similarly, government school students in rural areas are eligible to get a concession of 75% in second class for a study tour or an entrance examination once a year.

In addition, foreign students studying in India are also eligible for a 50-per-cent concession in second and sleeper class. Apart from these, senior citizens, who book their railway tickets online, now have the option to choose between 100-per-cent concession, 50%concession and no concession.

Those appearing for UPSC and Central Staff Selection Commission can also avail a concession of 50 per cent on the fare. Industrial labours and farmers, who wish to visit agricultural exhibitions, can also avail a 25-per-cent concession on second-class and sleeper-class tickets.