Centre agrees to formulate rail travel concession policy for acid attack survivors

The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that it is prepared to develop a policy for granting railway travel concessions to acid attack survivors. The government stated that this initiative is intended to facilitate travel for survivors who must visit well-equipped hospitals for periodic medical treatment. The Supreme Court bench, which included Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, directed the government to file a draft policy within six weeks.

The court proceedings followed a public interest litigation filed by the Atijeevan Foundation, which highlighted the financial burden survivors face when traveling in air-conditioned coaches for necessary medical care. During the hearing, the government clarified that it does not intend to classify survivors under the existing disability category for concessions, as this could lead to similar demands from other groups. The court advised the government to consider the request for travel concessions liberally.