Season ticket holders fleeced while renewing

Kochi: Vendors at  railway stations are fleecing season ticket holders for renewing their tickets. They charge Rs 5 for the declaration form even as the railways are bound to supply it free.

According to a new direction, the season ticket holders  have to submit affidavits while applying for or renewing season tickets. Commuters allege that they are directed to the shops inside stations by the railway staff themselves to buy the forms.

“I was told that theform wasn’t available  and I was  asked to get it from a shop on the platform. The vendor charged Rs 5 for a  form and we’ve to do this every month for renewing tickets,” said Anil Kumar, a native of Karungapally.

When contacted,  a top railway official said:  “We’re bound to give the declaration forms free. But if there is a shortage,  the commuters can give the declaration in white paper as a temporary measure. We’ve displayed the message at major stations.”