Elders frown on Aadhaar verification for ticket concession
By Express News Service | Published: 31st December 2016 01:43 AM |
Last Updated: 31st December 2016 04:35 AM
CHENNAI: From January 1, 2017, an additional task awaits passengers attempting to book railway tickets under the senior citizen quota. Aimed at preventing the misuse of the fare concession facility, passengers will have their Aadhaar card details authenticated before they are able to book the tickets. However, the measure announced earlier this month has not gone down well with senior citizens who feel it is unnecessary. Besides, by making them part with Aadhar card details, the elderly claim the move violates a Supreme Court’s order which makes the usage of Aadhaar strictly voluntarily.
According to the relevant document available on the railway ministry website, “From 1st January to 31st March 2017, Aadhaar verification for getting concessional tickets for senior citizens shall be on voluntary basis. With effect from 1st April 2017, Aadhaar verification shall be mandatory.”
As a result, those availing concession on the IRCTC portal will have to first authenticate Aadhaar details by feeding them in the Master List section under ‘My Profile’ and then select verified passengers from the Master List which will pop up during booking. This measure is also applicable for tickets booked over the counter through Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters. In doing so, officials say they aim to prevent misuse of the concession most commonly done by the ticketing agents.
Speaking to Express, an IRCTC official explained that by linking the ticket reservation with Aadhaar details, it will be a proof audit. “There is an endeavour by the railway board to prevent revenue leakage, starting with monitoring the concessionary tickets. There have been several fraudulent instances of agents booking tickets under this facility,” the official said.
The existing method is that no age supporting documents are required while booking, as they are only inspected by the TTE during the journey. Stating it as a complicating move, D Murugan, 65, a native of Salem, said the extra verification step is not needed. “As it is, I am producing a valid ID proof during my journey. What prevents the TTEs from throwing out those who misuse the facility,” he posed.
Others such as T Sadagoppan, president of TN Progressive Consumer Centre, wondered how it can be implemented when the Supreme Court citing privacy issues had clarified that Aadhaar scheme can’t be linked with governmental schemes except for a select few. “The railways can’t force this measure. The court has said it is purely voluntarily,” Sadagoppan said.
By Express News Service | Published: 31st December 2016 01:43 AM |
Last Updated: 31st December 2016 04:35 AM
CHENNAI: From January 1, 2017, an additional task awaits passengers attempting to book railway tickets under the senior citizen quota. Aimed at preventing the misuse of the fare concession facility, passengers will have their Aadhaar card details authenticated before they are able to book the tickets. However, the measure announced earlier this month has not gone down well with senior citizens who feel it is unnecessary. Besides, by making them part with Aadhar card details, the elderly claim the move violates a Supreme Court’s order which makes the usage of Aadhaar strictly voluntarily.
According to the relevant document available on the railway ministry website, “From 1st January to 31st March 2017, Aadhaar verification for getting concessional tickets for senior citizens shall be on voluntary basis. With effect from 1st April 2017, Aadhaar verification shall be mandatory.”
As a result, those availing concession on the IRCTC portal will have to first authenticate Aadhaar details by feeding them in the Master List section under ‘My Profile’ and then select verified passengers from the Master List which will pop up during booking. This measure is also applicable for tickets booked over the counter through Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters. In doing so, officials say they aim to prevent misuse of the concession most commonly done by the ticketing agents.
Speaking to Express, an IRCTC official explained that by linking the ticket reservation with Aadhaar details, it will be a proof audit. “There is an endeavour by the railway board to prevent revenue leakage, starting with monitoring the concessionary tickets. There have been several fraudulent instances of agents booking tickets under this facility,” the official said.
The existing method is that no age supporting documents are required while booking, as they are only inspected by the TTE during the journey. Stating it as a complicating move, D Murugan, 65, a native of Salem, said the extra verification step is not needed. “As it is, I am producing a valid ID proof during my journey. What prevents the TTEs from throwing out those who misuse the facility,” he posed.
Others such as T Sadagoppan, president of TN Progressive Consumer Centre, wondered how it can be implemented when the Supreme Court citing privacy issues had clarified that Aadhaar scheme can’t be linked with governmental schemes except for a select few. “The railways can’t force this measure. The court has said it is purely voluntarily,” Sadagoppan said.
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