Telangana High Court to Examine Legality of Free Travel for Females on Public Transport
Last Updated on February 1, 2024 by News Desk
A petition has been filed in the Telangana High Court challenging a government order providing free travel on public transport exclusively to females, including transgenders, throughout the state.
The petitioner argued that the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation had exceeded its jurisdiction in passing the GO, as it derived its power from the Road Transport Act, 1950, which only grants the Centre the power to frame laws.
The petitioner argued that Section 22 of the Act lays down a business principle for raising finances to keep the corporation running, and the order should be set aside. The petitioner also argued that under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, Road Transport Corporation facilities or transport are not considered ‘public utility services.’
The petitioner argued that free travel may create overflowing commuters and encourage unnecessary travel at the cost of other passengers, creating inconvenience and increasing the travel percentage, leading to additional pollution and environmental crises.
The Bench has directed the registry to register the petition as a writ, as the petitioner admits to being personally aggrieved by the government order.
Written by: Srijan Raj, @procrastinate_human
