MANGALURU, July 19, 2015
New Tatkal booking rules will also prevent misuse of ID card details
There is just one hour each to book AC and non-AC tickets, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and from 11 a.m. to noon respectively, under Tatkal.— File Photo
From Sept. 1, ID proof copy not a must when booking tickets
The chances of one’s identity card details, particularly permanent account number (PAN), being misused after being displayed in public, would become remote with the Indian Railways deciding to do away with mandatory submission of photocopy of ID proof while booking Tatkal tickets.
Many rail passengers travelling with Tatkal tickets were surprised to receive notices from the Income Tax Department seeking explanations about their income and expenditure.
It was soon revealed that the PAN of Tatkal passengers displayed on reservation charts of trains were being misused by unscrupulous jewellers, for ‘helping’ bulk buyers of jewellery.
The PAN number of the buyer must accompany bills for purchase of jewellery worth over Rs. 1 lakh, and many buyers do not want to reveal their purchases. This is when bills are issued in the names of unsuspecting railway passengers.
In its July 14 circular, the Railway Board said there was no longer a need to produce photocopy of passenger’s ID proof while booking Tatkal tickets, either at the passenger reservation counter or online from September 1. Passengers only need to carry the original of any one of the 10 recognised ID cards during their journey, just like those travelling with general quota tickets.
Earlier, passengers failing to produce the original ID card given while booking Tatkal tickets were treated as those travelling without ticket, and were penalised.
Tendency to forget
Railway Board Chairman A.K. Mittal told The Hindu that many times, passengers would forget to carry the original of the same ID proof. Indian Railways did not want to inconvenience passengers, and hence the decision, he said.
Anil Hegde, convener of a Rail Passenger Forum, said just one hour each is being provided to book air-conditioned and non air-conditioned class tickets, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to noon respectively, under Tatkal.
Time wasted
While hundreds wait in queue, the booking clerk has to verify details of each ID proof and enter the same in the portal, eating away a considerable amount of time, Mr. Hegde said.