Ensure student concession on holidays: KeSCPCR

KOZHIKODE: The state commission for the protection of child rights (KeSCPCR) has asked the state government to ensure that students get concession in buses on holidays. This was in response to a complaint  filed by a group of school students here saying that private buses were not giving  them concession on holidays though they had to attend school.

“The transport department, in an order in 2012,  had allowed students’ concession  on holidays. But it is not being adhered to and many are not aware of it,” pointed out KeSCPCR member  Naseer Chaliyum, who along with KeSCPCR chairperson Sobha Koshy signed the order. According to the 2012 order, full time regular/private students  studying in recognised institution or registered under any university are entitled to concession.

The concession is for a maximum distance not exceeding 40 km for a single journey. The complainants said  the bus crew abused the students for seeking  concession and ridiculed their character and education though they were in uniform. But an office-bearer of All-Kerala Bus Operators’ Organisation told DC that concession on holidays could not be allowed. “We are yet to get the communication on the new order. But allowing concession on holidays is unwarranted and would cripple an ailing industry,” he said. Currently, the minimum students’ concession is Rs 1.