Govt takes note of misuse of Excess Fare Ticket books by TTEs

The Government has taken serious note of misuse of Excess Fare Ticket (EFT) books given to Ticket Checking Staff to issue tickets to passengers found without ticket or inadequate fare ticket.

Ticket checking staff have been found to be carrying fake EFTs, Minister of State for Railways E Ahamed informed the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour.

"On the basis of an anonymous complaint forwarded by CBI, a preventive check was conducted (on Jammu Mail) and a ticket checking staff was founding misusing the EFT books. He has been placed under suspension," he said.

The Minister said Train Ticket Examiners (TTE) are allowed to keep only one EFT book having 50 leaflets for stations under his jurisdiction and one additional for stations beyond his jurisdiction.

The ticket checking staff found misusing EFTs has been placed under suspension and departmental action will be initiated after completion of enquiry, he said.

"After vigilance department completes its investigation and gives report, we will have to take more preventive actions," he said. "This is high time for Railways to take preventive steps (to stop misuse of EFTs)."

To another question, he said the Commissioner of Railway Safety has submitted a preliminary report into the Jajpur Keonjhar Road rail mishap that happened in February this year.

"(The) accident occurred due to jumping of wheels. Final report of the Commission has not been submitted," he said.