Free Travel Facilities Withdrawn For Police Gallantry Awardees In Rajdhani And Shatabdi

NEW DELHI : The Ministry of Railways has dropped off the proposal to access free travel facilities to awardees of President's Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) and Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG), in Rajdhani express and Shatabdi trains. 

The proposal was put forward by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and was upheld by the Ministry of Home Affairs along with the Railways. The prime reason stated by the railways against the rejection of the proposal is due to financial constraints. 

Prior to this year, the awardees and widows of both PMG and PPMG were given free travel access in the executive class annually. Director General of CRPF, after a series of chat with the Home Ministry took up the IRCTC ticketing website, which was later sent to the Railway Ministry. 

After this, the Railway unit contacted to IRCTC and appealed for scrutinisation of the request with the Centre for Railway Information Systems along with Ministry of Home Affairs, and make a detailed proposal regarding the matter. 

The Railway Board further mentioned that, the proposal to provide free travel services to the PMG and PPMG has been scrutinised repeatedly, but it has not been accepted by the authority due to financial constraints and other issues. 

Police officials stated that, the facility was given to such awardees for many years, however, was lifted up by the Railway ministry. As per sources of the Railway Ministry, the service was withdrawn during the pandemic phase and it cannot be continued because of some issues in premium class trains. 

It is worth mentioning here that, a total of 901 police officials have received the Police Medals on Republic Day, 2023. Police Medal for Gallantry has been conferred to 140 personnels and Police Medal for Meritorious Service has been conferred to 668 individuals.

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