Despite tall claims by the Railways in favour of physically challenged and impaired persons , the divyangs are running from pillar to post to avail railway concession card here.
Several applicants are waiting for months to receive their cards despite submitting the documents required by the department.
On July 29, 2018 , a counter attached to the Station Manager office,was opened to provide railway concession card in Baleswar itself while earlier one had to go to Khargpur, DRM office of SE Railway to avail the card.
With the opening of outlet it was claimed by the authorities that the divyangs would no longer be required to visit Kharagpur for the card.
However, it is learnt that the divyangs have been waiting for more than six months to get the card from Baleswar office and feel harassed without satisfactory reasons.
Not only the fresh applicants , the divyangs who have applied for renewal of of their cards are waiting for more than three months to get the card.
The authorities here have a different take on the issue.
They said the old card is changed by the Railways and new card is introduced. Hence the delay has occurred, adding that under ideal condition, the card should be issued within 45 days of receipt of application.
Station Manager Bhagabat Das said the time limit for issuing card from date of receipt of application was 3 months.
“The old card is changed by the Railways and the new card is introduced . We have received only 60 cards against requirement of 300. Although we sent the 60 cards(the total number of cards issued for Baleswar) after verification from our end to the DRM office, they are pending at the other end. In phase wise we would send other approved applications for issue of cards to DRM office,” informed Das.
According to sources, eligible divyangs( 40 percent and above), desiring to avail the concession have to apply to the Railways with required documents which include certificate from the DHH , Aadhaar and date of birth proof etc .
Those documents are verified from the DHH and sent for approval of senior DCM for issue of cards.These cards with unique number once issued, one can book tickets online.
The facility in Baleswar railway station was opened to help the divgyangs of the two adjoining districts of Mayubhanj and Baleswar.
It is alleged that although a counter is opened, adjacent to the Station Manager office for the purpose of reviving application and issuing cards, yet only two staff are seen in the office ; and often it is found closed without any reason during working hours.