Forgotten Ones

The railway minister, Ram Vilas Paswan, never misses an opportunity to project himself as the champion of the weaker sections.

While in his budget he has been generous in announcing sops for porters, casual workers, railway pensioners, media persons etc., he has totally ignored the legitimate claim of the weakest section of society, namely, the senior citizens.

Senior citizens constitute only a small fraction of the countrys population. They travel only when it is absolutely necessary. As such, any concession to this class would have resulted in a negligible loss to the railway revenues.

The minister should take a clue from Indian Airlines and several state transport authorities which provide concessional travel by air and by road.

I hope that Mr Paswan will make amends and do justice to the senior citizens even if they do not constitute any vote bank.