Port Blair, Sept 26: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Island, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to provide concession in flight fares for senior citizens of Andaman and Nicobar Islands atleast once in a year (to and fro).
In a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor, the Member of Parliament mentioned that senior citizens across India get concession in bus fare, train-fare for inter-state as well as intra-state movement. On similar grounds, there is a concession for senior citizens in buses and boats/ships for their movement inside Andaman and Nicobar Islands but there is no concession for senior citizens in flight fares for inter-state movement from the side of A & N Administration.
The MP added that as travelling in ships is very troublesome, problematic and time consuming for old age people, journey through flights to the mainland is the only prominent and sensible option for them.
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma mentioned that for specialized treatment, old age people often need to visit Mainland India which becomes expensive for them and their family members, considering the economic setback due to COVID-19 impact on the economy of the entire country.
He said that not only medical emergencies but also for family matters and other emergency purposes senior citizens need to travel to the mainland but for this inter-state journey, there is no special concession in flight fares from the side of the UT Administration.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are situated far away from Mainland India and in absence of road or rail connectivity, flights are the main mode of transport for Islanders and considering this issue the Member of Parliament requested the Lt. Governor to provide concession in flight fare for senior citizens of Andaman and Nicobar Islands atleast once in a year (to and fro) so that in case of medical emergencies or other purposes they can easily visit mainland, without depending on others help.
The MP also suggested that for these purposes, the subsidy given to them in ship-fare can be diverted for flight ticket subsidies.