New measures to check misuse of Rlys' Izzat scheme

To prevent misuse of the Izzat monthly season tickets scheme, Railway Ministry has made it mandatory for beneficiaries to obtain income certificates from the local official first before getting recommendations from the area Lok Sabha MP.
The new measures will come into effect from October 15.
"Steps have been taken to ensure that the Izzat scheme actually reaches the person belonging to low income category," said a senior Railway Ministry official.
As announced in Railway Budget 2009-10, Railways had decided to introduce the Izzat scheme with tickets uniformly priced at Rs 25 and issued up to a distance of 100 km to people working in unorganised sector with monthly income not exceeding Rs 1,500.

According to the new measures, the passenger should first obtain income certificate from local government officials - SDM/SDO/BDO/tehsildar - and thereafter obtain income certificate from the Lok Sabha MP.
Earlier, separate certificate from local officials such as SDO or tehsildar were not required for issuing Izzat tickets.

After getting income certificate from the government officials, recommendations from Rajya Sabha MP and Union ministers can also be obtained and these should be submitted to the Divisional Rail Manager.
After production of income certificates and a copy of photo identity card cum residential proof, Izzat tickets would be issued, he said.
In case of Izzat tickets issued on production of income certificate from district magistrate or on BPL card issued by central government under a recognised poverty alleviation programme like Antyodaya Anna Yojana, these will be given directly on production of residence proof and separate income certificate from SDM/SDO/BDO/tehsildar shall not be required in these cases.