The government has expanded free rail travel to include a new category of gallantry award winners in the Armed Forces in recognition of their services to the country, officials familiar with the developments said on Thursday.
Military personnel awarded the Sena Medal, Nau Sena Medal and Vayu Sena Gallantry Medal will now be entitled to free travel in first and second class and chair car in trains, officials said. The facility includes free lifetime travel for dependents and companions, as applicable. Railroad distinction applies only to those who have been awarded these medals for gallantry, with the exception of employees recognized for distinguished service.
Officials said that only winners of the Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra (and their wartime equivalent medals) were allowed to travel by rail for free previously. The wartime equivalents of these medals are Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra.
The Sena Medal, Nau Sena Medal and Vayu Sena Medal come immediately after the Shaurya Chakra in order of precedence for gallantry awards. The Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra awards are the first, second and third highest peacetime gallantry awards in the country, respectively.
An official letter issued on March 16 states: “The issue of granting railway concessions to Sena/Nau Sena/Vayu Sena (Gallantry) awardees for travel in Indian Railways trains has been taken up with the Ministry of Defence. After lengthy deliberations, the Ministry of Defense has now issued a Government Sanction Letter (GSL) for free travel for life in… for gallantry award recipients and their families with one attendant.”
The letter added that the Commander-in-Chief Branch, in consultation with the Comptroller General of Defense Accounts, is working on ways to benefit from this facility, and will be notified soon.
