The Central Government informed the Supreme Court that it has agreed in principle to formulate a policy providing railway travel concessions to acid attack survivors, particularly to facilitate their travel for medical treatment.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was hearing a plea filed by Atijeevan Society seeking railway concessions and reservation benefits for acid attack survivors. CJI Surya Kant observed that acid attack survivors are already recognised as persons with disabilities under the law and suggested that the issue could be addressed as part of a social welfare measure.
Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave submitted that the Centre was considering extending the concession under the existing “patient category” instead of creating a separate concession under the disability category.
She said the government had reservations about extending the benefit under the disability category as it could result in similar demands from other categories of persons with disabilities. However, she submitted that the Centre was willing to provide the concession considering the medical treatment required by acid attack survivors.
Counsel appearing for Atijeevan Society pointed out that restricting the concession to the existing patient category could create practical difficulties for survivors who need to travel across States for multiple surgeries.
The counsel explained that a survivor based in one State may need to travel to different cities for specialised treatment, such as eye surgery or skin grafting, making it difficult to obtain separate concession certificates from different hospitals. The counsel therefore urged the Centre to extend the concession under the disability category, with suitable modalities allowing survivors to travel between States for treatment.
Taking note of the submissions, CJI Surya Kant suggested that the concession could be made available for a fixed period, allowing survivors to undertake necessary medical travel during that period. Dave reiterated that the Centre’s concern was that it could not extend railway concessions to one category of persons with disabilities while excluding others.
The CJI suggested that the benefit could instead be structured as part of a specific social welfare scheme for acid attack survivors. Dave agreed to work out the modalities in accordance with the Court’s suggestions.
The petitioner’s counsel also sought an emergency travel quota for acid attack survivors, stating that medical treatment may sometimes require immediate travel and delays could adversely affect their recovery.
The counsel emphasized the urgent nature of the medical care involved, submitting that survivors often need to travel immediately depending on their treatment. Agreeing with the argument, CJI Surya Kant stated that such a provision should be made available.
The Centre sought time to finalise the conditions and modalities for the proposed concession. The Supreme Court granted it six weeks to formulate the policy.
The Centre also agreed to share the draft policy with Atijeevan Society before placing it before the Court, allowing the organisation to provide its suggestions.
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