Enforce sops, quota in buses for disabled, collectors told

The State Government on Monday directed the district collectors and regional transport officers (RTOs) to strictly enforce the provisions of fare concession and seat reservation for physically challenged persons in Government and private buses.

The Government advice came following complaints from physically challenged persons that they were not allowed concession as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

In a joint circular, Commerce and Transport Secretary G Mathivathanan and Women and Child Development Secretary Arati Ahuja asked the district collectors and RTOs to ensure that the Government instruction was complied with.

As per 1988 MV Act, blind persons, mentally retarded and orthopaedically challenged (having 50-100 per cent deformity) are allowed full concession while escorts are eligible for 50 per cent concession.  People having immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are allowed to travel free of cost. Orthopaedically challenged people having less than 50 per cent deformity will be charged 50 per cent.

In addition, free luggage up to 15 kg per person has been allowed. However, every additional 20 kg luggage shall be charged at the rate of 7 paise per km. It has been clarified in the directions that the concession has been factored into bus fare structure. It is obligatory on the part of all buses to allow this concession to all eligible persons.

 The physically challenged persons will avail the concession on production of identity card or authenticated proof from the competent authority namely block development officer, executive officer of NAC, municipality, municipal corporations or district social welfare officers. The persons with immune deficiency may avail the proof form of State AIDS cell.  It has been further clarified that two seats near the door preferably the seat behind the conductor’s  be kept reserved for physically challenged persons.

Flouting this order will be viewed seriously and strict action like imposition of heavy penalty, cancellation of route permit or cancellation of licence will be taken as per the law.

 The district collectors and RTOs have been asked to take necessary steps to create awareness by writing these entitlements in busses, bus stands and other public places for information of all the bus owners and conductors.

 It has come to the notice of the Government that a private bus plying from Sambalpur to Baripada bearing No-OR-11H-7161 was imposed a penalty of ` 5,000 along with suspension of the licence of the conductor for three months for denying the entitlement to a lady passenger travelling from Gengutipali in Sambalpur district.


Source : The New Indian Express , Bhubaneshwar ( 26th Feb 2013 )