By IANS,
New Delhi : Indian Railways have agreed to examine a proposal to provide 75 percent concession to HIV/AIDS patients for their rail journeys for medical treatment while various states have agreed to provide free transport to them for the purpose, the Supreme Court was informed Monday.
A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Sathasivam was given this information by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) during the adjudication of a public interest lawsuit, seeking various types of medical and other helps for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs).
NACO Deputy Director General Damodar Bachani in an affidavit told the bench that the railways provide 50 percent concession to PLHAs in unreserved coaches, while patients of other diseases like cancer, leprosy and tuberculosis are given a concession of 75 percent in reserved compartments along with their escorts.
He said this issue of further subsidising the rail journeys of the PLHAs was raised in an inter-ministerial meeting Aug 21, when it was emphasised that PLHAs too should be provided 75 percent concessions like other patients along with their escorts during their journey for treatment.
Indian Railways Advisor A.K. Nigam, in turn, agreed that he would examine a formal proposal to this effect from NACO, added Bachani.
The meeting was attended by representatives of ministries of food and public distribution, road and transport, railways, law and justice, health and family welfare, besides an advocate representing Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium.
The meeting was convened on a direction by the apex court to examine the feasibility of according better facilities and other crucial supports to the people afflicted with the fatal diseases.
Bachani also told the court that several states and union territories, including Bihar, Karnataka and Chandigarh, have decided to provide free transport facilities to PLHAs in their respective territories, while some other states are examining the proposal.
On a recommendation by the court in July this year, the government has already decided to provide Antyodaya Annayojna cards to poor PLHAs, making them eligible for getting subsidised ration.