The Ministry of Railways has rejected a proposal to allow free travel on the Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains for those who have received awards for police bravery. According to an ANI report, the railway ministry cited “financial and other reasons” for the rejection. Previously, these awardees used to travel for free in business class once a year.
The proposal to provide courtesy passes to the winners of the Presidential Police Medal for Bravery (PPMG) and the Police Medal for Bravery (PMG) and to the widows of the winners of the bravery awards came from the Ministry inland. The issue had been addressed by the General Director of CRPF through a series of communications with the Ministry of the Interior, which in turn sent the proposal to the Ministry of Railways.
“At the request of CRPF, MHA (Home Ministry) had accepted a proposal for the extension of the facility to travel on Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains to PMG/PPMG recipients with the Government of India, Ministry of Railways, but the It has not been agreed by the Competent Railway Authority”, reads a recent communication from the CRPF that was circulated for information.
“…..the proposal to extend the journeys of the Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains to the Police Medal for Bravery (PMG) / President’s Police Medal for Bravery (PPMG) has been examined several times by this Ministry, but the same has not been agreed. by the competent authority for financial and other reasons,” the railway board said.