New Delhi, October 12 2009: Consequent upon the announcement made by the Union Minister of Railways in this year's Railway Budget on 3-7-2009 that accredited press persons would be given special photo identity cards for availing railway travel concession for bona-fide press work in place of existing travel coupon books; the Ministry of Railways will introduce the new system of concession based on photo identity card and the increased concession on Rajdhani/Sabtabdi/Jan Sabdabdi trains effective from 15-10-2009 .

Responding to a letter written by the Joint Director, Manipur Information Centre, New Delhi; Anil Kumar Saxena, Additional Director General (PR) of the Railway Board, in his e-mailed letter dated the 1st October 2009 stated that the ministry of railways issued a Circular No.36.TCII/2704/2009 Policy dated 10.8.2009 giving detailed guidelines and procedures about the new photo identity card system for railway travel concession for media persons.

The Additional DG further stated that the accredited journalists of Manipur should be persuaded to make their new photo identity cards much before 15-10-2009 so that they face no difficulties in availing concession under the new scheme.

In the past, the accredited journalists of Manipur had to approach to the Railway Station, Guwahati for getting railway concession travel coupon books.

But now, the accredited journalists of Manipur can approach to the railway reservation office, Imphal for the Photo Identity Cards instead of going to Guwahati.

The accredited journalists of Manipur shall approach to Railway Reservation Office, Imphal alongwith i) a certificate in the prescribed format issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Government of Manipur, and ii) one additional self attested photo to be affixed on photo identity card in the prescribed proforma.

These photo identity cards which will be valid for two years will be issued only in favour of a single accredited journalist by name.

The element of concession shall be (i) 50% in the basic fares all classes of Mail/Express trains & all other charges are to be collected in full, and (ii) 50% in the all inclusive fares of all classes of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi trains.

The concession will not be admissible in Garib Rath trains.

The same concession will be extended to Spouse of the accredited Press Correspondent while travelling with him/her once in every financial year (April to March).

This concession will be issued to the spouse of the accredited Press Correspondent when traveling from the station serving the headquarters to any place and back.

This concession is not admissible for the spouse when traveling alone.

For availing the concession for spouse the accredited Press correspondent shall give an undertaking to the Chief Representation Supervisor/Station Manager/Booking Supervisor in the prescribed format at the time of booking the ticket.

This concession is not valid in case of season tickets, circular journey tickets and tickets for local/Suburban/passenger trains.

The concession will not be granted inside the train i.e.if the Press Correspondents enters the train without proper ticket or extends journey on concession tickets or changes the ticket to higher class, no concession will be granted inside the train.

The new system of concession based on Photo Identity card and the increased concession on Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi trains will be effective from 15.10.2009.Form of certificate and other prescribed formats can be downloaded from the Indian Railways website as well as obtainable from the State DIPR.

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