Efforts to facilitate easier rail travel for acid attack survivors travelling for specialized medical care received key direction from the highest judicial forum. The court highlighted that the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, functioning under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, should take an active part in shaping the train fare concession policy. Facilitating more affordable railway journeys is intended to assist survivors in accessing medical institutions equipped with advanced facilities across the country.
Deliberations on the Draft Framework
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana considered the submissions regarding the ongoing policy formulation. The court took note of the fact that the central government had engaged with relevant stakeholders, including the petitioner NGO Atijeevan Society, to draft an initial framework. During the proceedings, Chief Justice Surya Kant pointed out that the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities ought to be integrated into the concluding stages of drafting this policy to guarantee a comprehensive support system.
Prior Agreement in Principle and Judicial Directions
The bench subsequently scheduled the proceedings for further hearing at a later date. Earlier, on 13 August, the central government had formally informed the bench of its agreement in principle to institute a framework granting train fare concessions to acid attack survivors. At that stage, the bench urged the Ministry of Railways to handle the matter generously. Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave had also been instructed to place the finalized draft of the policy onto the court record within a period of six weeks.
Proposed Coverage Under the Patient Classification
Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave explained that the central administration is proposing to extend this railway assistance under the specific designation of a patient category. The government cited reservations regarding the classification of acid attack survivors into a separate disability grouping, pointing out that existing rules do not currently grant railway travel concessions to other individuals falling within that particular disability bracket. Providing the concession under the patient classification is seen as a way to circumvent this operational challenge.
