Question : CONCESSIONAL TICKETS TO DELEGATES

(a) whether the delegates arrived to attend the Conference of a religious organisation called `Jamait Ulama-i-Hind` held recently in New Delhi were given concessional tickets by the Railways;

(b) if so, whether such facility was ever given to the delegates participating in the Conference of a religious organisation before that so far;

(c) if not, the justification of giving the said facility to this organisation; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to extend such facility to other religious organisations in future; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)

(a): Concession was granted to delegates attending the 28th general session of Jamait Ulama-i-Hind held at Delhi in May, 2005.

(b) and (c): In the recent past, concession to delegates of Jamait Ulama-i-Hind was granted in the years 1983, 1986, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 2000. Concession was also granted to other organisations/institutions, including religious ones, for example Sant Nirankari Mandal, Sree Swaminatha Swami Seva Samaj, Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Kanchi Kamakoti Peetadhipathi, Catholic Bishop Conference of India, etc.

(d) and (e): Concessions are not given as a matter of routine except those which are mentioned in the Indian Railway Conference Association Coaching Tariff Part I (Vol. II). In all other cases, concession requests are dealt on case to case basis irrespective of caste, religion or any particular sect.