Ref. : Er/Press/’03/senior/dG

Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC), Ahmedabad, has opposed the recent revision in terms and conditions for discount to be available to senior citizens for travel by Indian Airlines and demanded their withdrawal.

In a representation to the Union Minister for Civil Aviation, CERC described as “unreasonable” the conditions “imposed” on senior citizens such as

1) one-way journey not permitted;
2) minimum seven days’ stay at destination;
3) confirmed ticket purchased at least 7 days before departure.

The conditions, especially the one related to a minimum stay of seven days at destination, make the revised scheme impractical, CERC added. The revised scheme in effect will be available only for leisure travellers which, CERC pointed out, must not have been the objective while the scheme was framed for the benefit of senior citizens. The revised scheme will not also cover such exigencies as medical needs, death of a family member or relatives which may require senior citizens to travel for a shorter period or at a short notice, the representation added.

CERC regretted that when the Central Government has been consistently following a policy for the welfare of senior citizens, the imposition of such terms and conditions is a retrograde step. Such terms and conditions are also not in consonance with the scheme of discount followed by other Government undertakings like the Railways.

CERC urged the Minister on behalf of the country’s senior citizens to reconsider their problems and order the withdrawal of these terms and conditions so that all senior citizens can avail themselves of the benefit of the discount in its true spirit.

Date : 03 August 2003
Place : Ahmedabad

Pritee Shah
Editor
INSIGHT - The Consumer Magazine