Senior citizens denied concession
Staff Reporter
KSRTC conductors refuse voter's card as age proof
BANGALORE: Despite the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and its affiliates in the State directing their conductors to accept voter identity cards and driving licences as proof of age for senior citizens, this is not being followed, complain commuters. On the contrary, most conductors insist on the senior citizen card issued by the Directorate of Welfare of the Disabled and Senior Citizens.
A large number of senior citizens do not have these cards and are deprived of the 25 per cent concession they are eligible for.
According to the September 23, 2008 order issued by the KSRTC, 25 per cent concession is offered to citizens above 65 years on all mofussil and express services of the various corporations. To get the concession, senior citizens have to produce the photo identity card issued by the directorate or driving licence or voter identity card, the order states.
But the order is being flouted, say senior citizens. M. Madan Mohan, a Hubli-based journalist, has had several experiences of conductors refusing to allow concession on the basis of his voter identity card.
Arguments with the conductors have not helped, he said. If conductors could do this to a journalist, what would be the plight of someone who is ignorant of the rules? asked Mr. Madan Mohan. The States of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are more generous, offering 50 per cent concession to senior citizens.
According to Shankaranarayana Sharma, another senior citizen from Bangalore, bus conductors in the neighbouring States treat the elderly with dignity besides accepting any card showing proof of age.
Corporation's reaction
A KSRTC spokesperson told The Hindu that conductors would be asked to follow the September 2008 order. The spokesperson said, along with senior citizen's card, conductors have been asked to accept voter identity cards and driving licences as proof of age.
Senior citizens denied concession (14 January 2010)
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