India's Centre Agrees to Rail Concessions for Acid Attack Survivors

The central government of India has agreed in principle to develop a policy that will provide railway travel concessions to survivors of acid attacks. This initiative is intended to facilitate their travel to advanced medical facilities in cities for ongoing treatment.

What Happened

The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Thursday of its agreement to formulate a policy for granting railway concessions to acid attack survivors. The Court had previously urged the government to consider this issue "liberally." The Ministry of Railways, represented by Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave, stated that a meeting had been held where the decision was made in principle. The government proposes to extend this benefit under the "patient category" rather than a separate category for persons with disabilities, citing reservations about extending concessions to all disability categories.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directed the Centre to submit a draft policy within six weeks. The law officer indicated that modalities for implementing these concessions are still under deliberation.

Key Facts

• The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Thursday of its agreement in principle to grant railway travel concessions to acid attack survivors.
• The concessions are intended to help survivors travel to well-equipped hospitals for periodic treatment.
• The Supreme Court asked the Centre to consider the issue "liberally."
• Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave, representing the Ministry of Railways, stated the government proposes to offer concessions under the "patient category."
• A draft policy is to be filed with the Supreme Court within six weeks.
• The issue was raised in response to a plea seeking concessional rail fare for acid attack survivors.
• Acid attack survivors often require multiple visits to super-speciality hospitals for long-term treatment.

Background

The Supreme Court had previously sought the Centre's views on a plea advocating for concessional air-conditioned class rail fares for acid attack survivors. This plea highlighted the necessity for survivors to travel for extended periods to specialized medical centers. The court also considered that certain categories of persons with disabilities already receive travel concessions from the railways, and the government expressed concerns about extending such benefits broadly within the disability category.