Ban on IRCTC Booking Private Agents
Private agents in IRCTC were caught making illegal bookings and arrested recently. Following this, Railway Minister Goyal has said that he will ban private agents.

Goel's reasons for this are accepted.

How did private agents come about?
Earlier internet usage was minimal. Also the booking facility was only available at railway stations. So, everyone had to wander for this.

For example, if I want to book a train ticket from our city Gopi, I have to go to Erode railway station and book it.

For this purpose, the Railway Department has allowed private agents, i.e. allowed the agents to make online bookings for passengers in their respective towns.

With this, they were able to make online bookings through agents in their hometowns without the need to travel long distances.

Development of the Internet
Internet has grown tremendously in India in the last 5 years.

Most people have started using Smart Phone.

The number of people making bookings over the phone has increased tremendously compared to those making direct bookings at the booking centers.

Hence, the need for agents has decreased.

Illegal act of agents
Due to the growth of internet and technological advancement, it was discovered that agents were illegally using their license to book tickets and earn ₹50 – ₹100 crore per year.

Ban on private agents
The internet has grown and people are increasingly able to make their own bookings online.

Therefore, the Railway Department feels that there is no need for private agents anymore.

It has been advised that those who are not able to book through internet, can book through direct centres.

This will prevent illegal booking on festival days including Tatkal and benefit the public.

A permanent ban on private agents may soon be put in place to end illegal ticket booking.

This action by the Railway Department is to be welcomed.

Corona Virus WhatsApp Hoaxes

Corona Virus
Everywhere you look, there is talk about the corona virus. No matter who the two talk to, there will never be a conversation about Corona.

Many problems like virus, lockdown, essential needs, income, economy, health are standing before us. Image Credit

The biggest problem of all is negative news.

It is normal to have loss of life, economic stagnation, job loss, essential needs, health scare due to Corona.

Due to this, a lot of negative videos and articles are spreading on the internet, WhatsApp and social media.

Many have made it their job to share this with everyone.

What will this achieve?
Can it be prevented from happening? Can an individual improve the economy? Can we avoid the practical problems we will encounter?

Whatever happens to us, the world goes on. If you are worried about this, will it get better?

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