By sharing a screenshot of news published on the website of ‘Dainik Jagran’ on social media, it is being claimed that now the Railways will take full fare for taking a seat for a one-year-old child. In this screenshot, the headline of the article is- “Railway News: If you want a seat for a one-year-old child, you will have to take a full ticket.”
This screenshot has been shared by many verified users including several opposition leaders, journalists, and social activists. Akhilesh Yadav wrote- “To impose full rail tickets on 1-year-old children Thank the BJP government that it did not say that the pregnant woman would be charged extra ticket on the train. The train is no longer for the poor. Now people will cut the full ticket of the BJP. The archived vrsion of the tweet can be seen here.
Bihar’s leader Pappu Yadav wrote- “BJP will now charge ticket of a one year old. The child will also be charged the full ticket in the train . Leader minister officers will roam free! (English Translation)
At the same time, many other users have also shared it.
Fact Check:
To investigate the viral claim, DFRAC Team first searched whether such news has actually been published on Dainik Jagran’s website. We found that the news was published by Dainik Jagran on 15th August 2022. While publishing the story of Mayank, a resident of Lucknow, in this news, it has been told that after filling the details of Mayank’s one-year-old son, his full rent was also taken.
https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/lucknow-city-railway-gave-a-big-blow-to-the-passengers-now-a-one-year-old-child-will-also- get-a-full-ticket-jagran- special- 22982158.html
At the same time, after that, we did a simple search for some specific keywords. In this context, we got a tweet from PIB India. A press release has been attached to this tweet. It has been told in this press release that there is no change in the rules related to ticket booking for children traveling on the train. It is optional for passengers to buy tickets and book berths for children below 5 years of age. Free travel is allowed for children below 5 years of age if no tickets are booked.
https : //twitter.com/PIB_India/status/1559825408761397248?s=20&t=dmmbncGiLomewZKoOHWfRQ
According to this, there have been some media reports recently in which it has been claimed that the Indian Railways has changed the rules regarding ticket booking for children traveling by train. It has been claimed in these reports that now children between the age of one to four years will have to take a ticket to travel on the train. This news and media reports are misleading. It is informed that Indian Railways has not made any changes regarding the booking of tickets for children traveling on the train.
Passengers have been given the option to buy tickets on demand and book a berth for their child below 5 years of age. And if they do not want a separate berth then it is free, as it used to be. A circular of the Ministry of Railways dated 06.03.2020 states that children below the age of five years are allowed to travel free of cost. However, no separate berth or seat (chair in the car) will be provided. Hence there is no need to purchase any ticket unless a separate berth is claimed. However, if a berth/seat is sought for children below 5 years of age on a voluntary basis, full adult fare will be charged.
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1852502 _
Conclusion:
Railways says that they have not issued any circular till now. This rule is of 2020 that if someone wants to book a seat separately for the child, then they will have to pay the full seat fare. If he takes the child with him in his seat, then no fare will have to be paid. Hence the claim going viral on social media is misleading.
Claim- 1 year child will have to pay full fare on booking rail ticket
Claimant- Social media users
Fact Check – Misleading
