On anvil, ID cards for disabled to book railway tickets online

In a huge relief to the differently-abled persons, the Centre proposes to introduce unique identity cards to enable them to book railway tickets on the internet and avail concessions.

In a huge relief to the differently-abled persons, the Centre proposes to introduce unique identity cards to enable them to book railway tickets on the internet and avail concessions.

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Additional Solicitor General (ASG) AS Chandhiok submitted a draft policy regarding this before the Delhi high court on Wednesday.

“Unique identity cards will be issued which these passengers can produce after boarding the train. The pilot project will be started in some states and if working will be implemented all across the country”, said the ASG.

The Railways had earlier justified the denial of e-ticketing facility, saying general public could misuse the electronic reservation slip by making false claims of disability.

A Bench of acting chief justice AK Sikri and justice RS Endlaw was hearing a PIL challenging the denial of this right to them when all passengers including senior citizens enjoyed the same.

The centre had in the last hearing sought the response of the centre terming it a “serious and sensitive” issue.

The PIL filed by a Delhi-based consultant Praveen Kumar and lawyer Pankaj Sinha, both visually challenged termed the differentiation “uncalled for”.