Rail passes to continue

CHANDIGARH, May 20: The Ministry of Railways has clarified that the complimentary travel passes issued to gallantry award winners will continue to be issued and renewed as per the terms and conditions. Reports appearing earlier in a section of the media had inadvertently mentioned that this facility had been withdrawn. According to a railway official, only passes of some non-entitled personnel and some civilians have been withdrawn.

Meanwhile, in a meeting held here, local members of the President8217;s Police Gallantry Awardee8217;s Association have demanded that the Punjab government set up a separate department of para-military and police forces to cater to the needs of those who were disabled while fighting insurgency as well as widows or dependents of personnel killed in service.

The association has also pointed out that the government is yet to induct sons of posthumous gallantry awardees in to the state police as promised earlier.