The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 22, 2026) dismissed a PIL that was filed challenging the Priyadarshini free travel scheme that had been launched on June in Kerala State Road Transport Corporation’s (KSRTC) ordinary buses for women and transgender persons.
The Court observed that there was nothing in the plea to prove that a Government Order that had been issued with regard to the free travel scheme, was illegal.
The contention of the petitioner who said that he is a frequent traveller on KSRTC buses, was that the scheme violated the right to equality and the right against discrimination, enshrined in Article 14 and Article 15 (1) of the Indian Constitution. He added that no study was conducted before rolling out the scheme that is aimed at making available free travel for women, irrespective of their income. Neither was a ministerial committee constituted to study the matter. Above all, the scheme would cost the public exchequer approximately ₹800 crore each year, he said.
Citing similar schemes that were in vogue in eight other States, including in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the State Government countered this, saying that the scheme was adopted to further the cause of women’s empowerment, in keeping with the expectations from a welfare State. The scheme would, in turn, help increase the mobility of women, especially in rural areas. The Government is empowered to implement schemes that give preferential treatment for women, it argued.
Published - June 22, 2026 11:58 am IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
