Rail Budget 2013: Passes for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna winners

Recipients of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Dhyan Chand Awards will get complimentary card passes for travel by first class and second AC coaches, Union Minister for Railways Pawan Kumar Bansal today announced in his Budget speech. The complimentary card passes will also be given to Olympic medalists and Dronacharya awardees for travel in Rajdhani and Shatabadi trains, Bansal said.[caption id="attachment_640343" align="alignleft" width="380"]

Silver medallist Sushil Kumar poses on the podium of the Men's 66kg Freestyle on 12 August 2012 during the wrestling event of the London 2012 Olympic Games. AFP[/caption]"Travel by Duronto Trains (is) permitted on all card passes issued to sportspersons having facility of travel by Rajdhani/Shatabadi trains," the minister said in Parliament.Bansal said that the railways had put up with an sterling performance in different sports events both nationally and globally.The railways won nine National Championships in 2012 while the Railway Sports Promotion Board was awarded the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar in 2012. The mention of railway staff Sushil Kumar, who won a silver medal in the Men's 66kg Freestyle Wrestling event at the 2012 London Olympics, was appreciated in the House amid thumping of desk by the members.