According to the new rules, there
will be no refund on confirmed tickets after the departure of the train and one
can get refund up to four hours before departure. Earlier from six hours before
the scheduled departure of the train and up to two hours after the actual
departure of the train, the cancellation fee was 50% of the fare.
The new rules specify that between 12 hours and 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation fee will be 50% of the fare. Also, between 48 hours and 12 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation fee will be 25% of the fare. Earlier between 48 hours and 6 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, the cancellation fee was 25% of the fare.
The change in refund rules is aimed at helping genuine passengers get confirmed tickets and check the tout menace in ticketing.
The railways has also doubled the cancellation charges. The cancellation fee for AC3 confirmed ticket 48 hours before the scheduled departure of the train would be Rs 180 as against Rs 90 earlier, while for AC-II it would be Rs 200 in place of Rs 100.
The cancellation fee of second sleeper class confirmed tickets would be Rs 120 instead of earlier Rs 60 while the charges for second class confirmed ticket will be increased to Rs 60 from the present Rs 30.00.
For waitlisted tickets and reservation against cancellation ( RAC), one has to avail the refund up to half an hour before the scheduled departure of the train and there will be no refund thereafter.
"The aim is to plug the scope of misuse," said an official, adding the changes are made to discourage touts and ticketing agents indulging in black-marketing of tickets.
