772 touts prosecuted, 135 convicted in last 3 months

The government on Friday said it had been able to prosecute 772 touts, and  convict 135 of them in the last three months this year. “Indian Railways has taken stringent measures to curb the menace of touts, to ensure that common man’s access to the railway ticketing system is not affected. Some cases of touting activities come to notice during checks conducted by Railways, particularly during peak rush period/festival seasons,” the Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha informed Rajya Sabha on Friday.

The minister said, “The ministry has been able to prosecute 772 touts and convict 135 of them during last three months - April, May and June, 2015. No case of involvement of Railway officials in allotment of high official Quota (HOR) Quota has come to notice of Railway Board Vigilance. Also to facilitate travel for the passengers during peak rush period and to ensure availability of train tickets to ‘Common Man’, regular and preventive checks against touting activities are conducted.”

“This is an ongoing continuous process. Other steps taken by Railways in this regard include surveillance at reservation offices has been stepped up by installing Close Circuit Television at important Passenger Reservation System locations, to keep watch on any possible touting activities. 

Booking pattern at reservation offices are also monitored for detecting unusual pattern and fraudulent working of touts. Also carrying of prescribed original Identity Proof has been made compulsory for one of the passengers while undertaking journey in reserved class. Ticket checking staff have also been asked to be more vigilant and conduct proper/thorough checks of prescribed proofs of identity of passengers undertaking journey in reserved coaches,” Sinha added.