TGHRC Gets Complaint Against RTC For Denying Bus Pass Facility For Divyangjan

The complaint, submitted by Pabba Karunakar to the TGHRC secretary and CEO, stated that under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, individuals with at least 40 per cent disability are recognised as persons with benchmark disabilities and are entitled to various benefits, including transportation concessions.

However, Karunakar said that in practice, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) restricts bus passes only to those with 75 per cent and above disability, denying the facility to persons in the 40 to 74 per cent disability range. He termed this practice arbitrary and discriminatory, stating that it deprives a large segment of the disabled population of basic mobility rights essential to access education, employment, healthcare and public services.

“I have personally submitted multiple representations to the authorities over the years, including during the tenure of the previous BRS government and the current Congress government,” Karunakar said.

He lamented that despite repeated petitions, there has been no positive response or corrective action from any authority. The continued denial of public transport access to those with 40 to 74 per cent disability, he said, violates Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution and contradicts the spirit and provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

“I humbly request the Commission to intervene and direct the transport department and RTC to extend bus and metro pass facilities to all persons with 40 per cent and above disability, without discrimination, and ensure justice for us,” Karunakar said in his appeal.