Centre agrees in principle to rail travel concessions for acid attack survivors

The Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it has agreed in principle to formulate a policy for granting railway travel concessions to acid attack survivors to enable them to travel to well-equipped hospitals in cities for periodic treatment. The top court asked.

(Praful Gangurde/ HT photos)The top court asked the Centre to consider the issue of granting travel concessions to acid attack survivors "liberally". A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana took note of the submissions of Additional Solicitor.

What Happened

At the outset, the law officer said that a meeting has been held and it has been decided in principle that the acid attack survivors can be given railway concessions. She said the Centre proposes to extend the benefit under the "patient.

• It pleaded for inclusion of acid attack survivors within the PwD category to make them entitled to a concession in rail fare.

• It said their rehabilitation necessitated multiple reconstructive surgeries, advanced ophthalmic interventions and prolonged post-operative care, which are available only at a handful of elite tertiary institutions in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad.

• Due to the nature of the burn injuries, persistent itching, and especially after undergoing surgery, acid attack survivors often need to travel by train in AC coaches.

Key Details

They are in the disabled category, but we will give them concession under the patient category because they require it for the purpose of going to the doctor and for their treatment. She said the Railways will not be able to differentiate.

• Earlier, the bench had issued a notice to the Centre on the PIL seeking a separate reservation quota and concessional railway fares for acid attack survivors.

• The bench asked the law officer to take instructions and listed the plea for further consideration.

• The bench asked the law officer to see whether acid attack victims can be included in the category of patients like thalassemia and cancer to ensure that they can also avail the concession in.

Why It Matters

We will give them, but under the patient category. The CJI said that the relief should be given in a time-bound manner.

• Moreover, they are asked to get such certificates from the treating hospitals to claim reservation, which is difficult, he added.

• He said that persons who have been forced to ingest acid face difficulty in getting medical certificates to seek a railway reservation.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by Hindustan Times as more details emerge