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Railway cuts cash refund at counters to Rs 5,000
Think twice before attempting to book a few long-distance AC train tickets and cancelling it immediately to get some quick cash from the reservation counter.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
For, Indian Railway (IR) has halved the cash refund to Rs 5,000 at its reservation counters. People who claim refunds to the tune of Rs 5000 or above would only get it via cheque or ECS (electronic clearing service). The Railway Board (RB) had issued an order instructing chief commercial managers (CCM) of all its zones to not pay ticket cancellation or refunds in cash if the sum is Rs 5,000 or above.
Amit Kumar Jain, Director – Traffic Commercial (G), Railway Board, in his order dated November 17, 2016 (copy available with this paper), circulated to all CCMs and managing director of IRTCC, said, “Cancellations of such tickets and (partial and full) and refund of ticket of total value of Rs 5,000 and above shall not be allowed in in cash or through green pay order or by any means involving cash across the counter.” The board has also advised CRIS (Centre for railway information system) to make necessary changes in the software to ensure payment only through ECS.
Till Thursday, passengers were allowed collect refund up to Rs 10,000 in cash over counter. A senior southern railway (SR) officer who confirmed the receipt of the commercial circular no: 62 or 2016, told DTNext that they would issue TDR (ticket deposit receipt) and collect bank account, PAN card and Aadhar card details from people whose refund exceeds Rs 5,000. “The money would be deposited directly in the account of the refund claimer in a few days,” the officer added.
Notably, SR had tried a similar formula to refund travellers during last year’s floods. “Back then we allowed people to claim refunds for any sum through cash from any ticket reservation centre because of logistical difficulties during floods, but now, we are only issuing TDR and the refund is done through ECS. Also, by collecting account and PAN card details for refunds of PRS tickets, the government can track people who attempt to convert demonetised notes in to legal tender. Electronic transfer also saves us from suffering paucity of currency notes at the counter,” the officer explained.
Bed roll kit to be provided to all RAC passengers in AC coaches
Next time when you travel by an AC coach with a RAC (reservation against cancellation) ticket demand a blanket and pillow from the coach attendant as a matter of right. The Railway Board (RB) has issued an order in this regard advising all zonal railway managers to ensure the provision of bed roll kits to all RAC passengers in AC coaches. The order, issued by Marut Kumar, joint director of Environment and Housekeeping Management wing, Railway Board, said that it has been decided by the board that bed rolls may be provided to each RAC passenger in AC coaches (except AC chair car) as the bed roll charges are included in fare and collected from each passenger.
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