Supreme Court of India: Centre Agrees to Railway Concessions for Acid Attack Survivors

• The Centre has agreed to consider granting railway fare concessions to acid attack survivors.
• The decision comes after a Supreme Court bench directed the Ministry of Railways to introduce a policy offering travel concessions to these individuals.
• The Centre will extend benefits under the 'patient category' rather than placing acid attack survivors in a separate category among persons with disabilities.
• The decision is significant as it addresses the difficulties faced by acid attack survivors in getting medical certificates for railway reservation and traveling to well-equipped hospitals in cities.

According to Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave, the Centre will extend the benefit under the 'patient category' rather than placing acid attack survivors in a separate category among persons with disabilities due to reservations about granting concessions to all disabled persons.

The Centre has agreed to consider granting railway fare concessions to acid attack survivors, paving the way for easier access to medical treatment in cities. This decision comes after a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directed the Ministry of Railways to introduce a policy offering travel concessions to these individuals. According to Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave, the Centre will extend the benefit under the 'patient category' rather than placing acid attack survivors in a separate category among persons with disabilities due to reservations about granting concessions to all disabled persons.

The decision is significant as it addresses the difficulties faced by acid attack survivors in getting medical certificates for railway reservation and traveling to well-equipped hospitals in cities. The PIL petitioner, Atijeevan Society, had argued that rehabilitation of these individuals necessitates multiple reconstructive surgeries, advanced ophthalmic interventions, and prolonged post-operative care available only at a handful of elite tertiary institutions in metropolitan cities.

The Centre's agreement is seen as a step towards ensuring the rights of acid attack survivors under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The amendment to this law has already extended benefits to acid attack survivors who suffer from internal injuries without external disfigurement.

The Supreme Court's direction to the Centre is based on a PIL petition seeking concessional air-conditioned class rail fare for acid attack survivors. The petitioners argued that these individuals face significant challenges in accessing medical treatment due to their condition, including difficulty in getting medical certificates for railway reservation and traveling to well-equipped hospitals in cities. The court had sought the views of the Centre on this issue and had also asked whether acid attack victims can be included in the category of patients like thalassemia and cancer to ensure they can avail concessions in rail tickets.

The Centre's decision to extend benefits under the 'patient category' is seen as a compromise between placing acid attack survivors in a separate category among persons with disabilities and granting concessions to all disabled persons. This decision reflects the complexities of implementing disability rights laws and the need for nuanced approaches to address the specific needs of different groups.

The amendment to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, has already extended benefits to acid attack survivors who suffer from internal injuries without external disfigurement. However, the Centre's decision to extend concessions under the 'patient category' is a significant development in ensuring the rights of these individuals.

The Centre's agreement to consider granting railway fare concessions to acid attack survivors has significant implications for their rehabilitation and treatment. Easy access to medical treatment is crucial for these individuals, who require multiple reconstructive surgeries, advanced ophthalmic interventions, and prolonged post-operative care. The decision also reflects the importance of implementing disability rights laws in a nuanced and context-specific manner.

Lawyers advising clients on rehabilitation and treatment options should note that the Centre's agreement may impact travel arrangements for acid attack survivors. The decision to extend concessions under the 'patient category' is a significant development in ensuring the rights of these individuals and highlights the need for continued advocacy and support for their rehabilitation and treatment.

Lawyers advising clients on rehabilitation and treatment options should note that the Centre has agreed to consider granting railway fare concessions to acid attack survivors, which may impact travel arrangements for these individuals.

Source: Original reporting via Supreme Court of India