Success of HJS : Ahead of Kumbh, railways withdraws ‘Mela Surcharge’

Success of sustained campaign by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti

Mela surcharge for Hindu pilgrimages are like ‘jaziya tax’ imposed on Hindus by ‘Secular’ Govt ! HJS fought against it from last many years, along with many devout Hindus and Hindu organisations. In this ‘Secular’ country, Hindus have to pay more for their pilgrimages, while minorities get subsidies for such religious travel ! What kind of secularism is this ? – Editor, Hindujagruti

Bhubaneswar : The railways has discontinued the system of levying ‘Mela Surcharge’ with effect from December 11. The surcharge used to be levied on passengers during major fairs in the country. The decision was taken by the Railway Board keeping in mind next month’s Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. The surcharge was levied during this year’s Rath Yatra.

East Coast Railway (ECoR) sources said it imposes this surcharge during Rath Yatra every year. But from now it will not levy this amount. Sources said ECoR had collected around Rs 30 lakh in surcharge during this year’s Rath Yatra alone. The surcharge was levied on tickets costing more than Rs 15.

@RailMinIndia द्वारा वसूले जा रहे मेल अधिशुल्क को समाप्त करने का निर्णय, यह @HinduJagrutiOrg समेत कर्इ हिन्दू संगठनों के संगठित प्रयासों का परिणाम है । अक्तूबर २०१८ में कर्इ जगहों पर इस मांग को लेकर राष्ट्रीय हिन्दू आंदोलन किए गए थे ।@Ramesh_hjs @hjsdrpingale pic.twitter.com/xRq7l5R0Xz

— HinduJagrutiOrg (@HinduJagrutiOrg) December 15, 2018

Official sources said the surcharge was levied on out-bound tickets issued from stations like Puri during Rath Yatra. Return tickets to Puri were also taxed.

But this surcharge was not levied on single journey tickets issued from various stations across the country to the place where a fair was being held.

Under the surcharge, Rs 5 and Rs 20 would be levied for second class and sleeper class tickets booked in ordinary and mail or express trains. The ECoR charged Rs 40 for AC Chair Car and AC-3 tier tickets, while it levied Rs 60 and Rs 80 for AC-2 tier and AC First Class tickets.

Source : TOI