Kochi, 15 June (H.S.) :

A writ petition has been filed in the Kerala High Court challenging the UDF government's ‘Priyadarshini’ scheme that provides free travel for women on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) ordinary bus services.

The petitioner has contended that the scheme violates Articles 14 and 15(1) of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and prohibit discrimination.

According to the petition, the scheme has been implemented solely on the basis of gender without prescribing any income limit, residency criteria or specific welfare objective. It argues that extending the benefit to all women, irrespective of their financial status, amounts to discrimination and runs contrary to the principle of equality.

The plea points out that while a woman earning a substantial salary is entitled to free travel under the scheme, a male daily wage labourer travelling on the same bus is required to pay the fare. Such a distinction, it argues, cannot be justified in a democratic society committed to equal treatment of citizens.

The petition also alleges that the government converted an election promise into a government order immediately after assuming office without conducting any policy study, financial assessment or impact evaluation. It claims that the implementation of a large-scale welfare programme without examining its economic and social implications amounts to a violation of constitutional principles.

The writ petition has been filed by Ernakulam resident Mohammed Firdous through advocate Shameem Ahmed.

The Priyadarshini scheme, one of the UDF government's key poll promises, came into force on June 15, enabling women to travel free of cost on KSRTC ordinary bus services across the state. The government has maintained that the scheme is intended to improve women's mobility and reduce their transportation expenses.

The High Court is expected to take up the petition for consideration in the coming days.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman