In yet another move on demonetization, IRCTC have waived off the service charge levied for online ticket booking. Although, this has been done for a short span of time from November 23, 2016 till the end of this year (December 31, 2016), the step has been taken in order to promote cashless transactions through online booking. So on all E-ticket and I-ticket booking done between Nov 23 till Dec 31, there won’t be any service charge. Currently on every booking made online through IRCTC website, there is Rs 20 service charge for sleeper class and Rs 40 service charged for AC classes. There was an additional service tax of 15% that was applicable on this service charge.
For example if you booked a ticket from Delhi to Agra in third AC through IRCTC website, the ticket cost is Rs. 540 in Punjab Mail and there was Rs 40 Service charge applicable. Along with this 15% tax was levied too on this service charge, so your total cost of ticket was Rs 540+46= Rs.586. Starting from today till Dec 31, 2016 this additional amount (Rs.46 in this case) is waived off giving passengers some relief for cashless transactions. As you can see in above image, the service charge is zero when booked through IRCTC.
Government also announced earlier that the higher notes will be accepted till November 24 midnight for booking tickets at the railway stations and buying food items in trains and on railway station premises.
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