'Violation of equality, implemented unconstitutionally'; Petition moved in HC seeking cancellation of Priyadarshini scheme

KOCHI: A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the High Court against the government's Priyadarshini scheme, which allows free travel for women in KSRTC ordinary buses. The petition states that the scheme is discriminatory. The petition also demands that the scheme be declared unconstitutional and quashed. Mohammed Firdous, a native of Thammanam, Ernakulam, filed the petition.

From the petition:

Providing benefits solely based on gender without any financial criteria or residency qualifications is a violation of the equality and non-discrimination guaranteed by the Constitution. Although the Constitution empowers the government to make special provisions for women, it should be with a specific objective and only to address the backwardness. Such universal subsidies do not fall under the purview of this section.

The project costs the state exchequer about Rs 2 crore per day and Rs 800 crore per year. This project imposes an additional burden on KSRTC, which currently receives Rs 1,500 crore annually. The petition demands that the project, which was implemented unconstitutionally using public tax money, be cancelled. The further proceedings of the project should be stayed until the case is resolved, the petitioner requested.