‘Free travel for women a fulfillment of election promise’, Kerala HC responds to plea against Priyadarshini scheme Giving free bus travel to women is discrimination, Kerala High Court said this big thing while hearing the petition – ..

The recently implemented ‘Priyadarshini Scheme’ in Kerala, under which women and transgender persons are provided free travel in KSRTC normal buses, is now at the center of legal discussions. The Keralam High Court, while hearing a PIL challenging the scheme, has made an important observation. The court clearly acknowledged that this facility is a concrete step by the government to fulfill its promises made during the elections.

Election promise vs constitutional rights

During the hearing, the bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Shyam Kumar VM described this policy decision of the government as necessary for the upliftment of working women. The court commented, “It is commendable that the government has at least fulfilled its election promise.” Advocate Shamim Ahmed MP, appearing for petitioner Muhammad Firdauz, argued that the scheme is discriminatory and in direct violation of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution. His argument was that it was unfair to give free travel to all without any income limit or residential qualification.

Example given from other states

During the hearing, the government side defended itself and clarified that such public welfare schemes are already running successfully in many other states of the country. Citing the examples of Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Bengal, the government said similar free bus travel schemes for women are in place there too, aimed at increasing women’s mobility and participation in the workforce. After hearing these arguments of the government, the High Court recorded the arguments of both the parties and reserved its decision in this matter.

Political and legal noise over the plan

This petition filed regarding Priyadarshini Yojana raises the debate on whether the relaxation given in public welfare schemes can be kept in the category of ‘discrimination’? The petitioner says that there should be a clear criteria for this, while the government’s stand is that it is a medium to bring working women and the transgender community into the mainstream of the society and empower them economically. At present, the eyes of the entire state are fixed on the upcoming decision of the Keralam High Court, which can become an example for such populist policies in future.