Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation [GSRTC] — denial of concession - unique disability id

Address:

Bharuch, Gujarat, 393001

Dear Sir / Madam

My name is Pradeep, residing at Ankleshwar, Gujarat. I am a person having locomotor disability and carrying "Unique Disability ID" of Government of India, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, issued by Card Issuing Authority, General Hospital, Bharuch in which I am certified with 85% Permanent Disability.

I understand that Gujarat State Transport Corporation has provided 100% concession to the disabled person of my category and 50% concession to my escort. However, I was denied of the said benefits given by the Corporation today during my bus journey from Vadodara to Ankleshwar, after meeting my Neurologist in Vadodara. The reason given for this denial both by the conductor and driver of the GSRTC Bus, in which I and my wife traveled, was that my said Unique Disability Id is not valid for any concession as it is not issued by GSRTC. In fact, these gentlemen have not heard of such Unique ID card so far. We therefore had to pay full fare of the ticket and completed our journey. After getting down at Ankleshwar bus station, we contacted the available officer in Ankleshwar GIDC bus depot and explained the matter to him. He, while apologizing for the ignorance shown and treatment given by the said bus conductor and driver, informed us that this must have happened because of their ignorance about “Unique Disability ID” and its validity / benefits offered by it. He also suggested us that from next time onwards, if require, we should communicate to the concerned conductor that my unique disability card is issued by Government of India and is valid anywhere in India.

What I would like to request you now is that please make conductors and drivers of Gujarat ST busses, in general, aware of the existence and validity o[censored]nique Disability ID, issued by Government of India for availing concession in ST buses. I would also suggest that a notice / announcement is placed above the seats of disabled passengers of the ST Busses indicating validity of the said certificate, so that in future none of less fortunate peoples like me, who is carrying Unique Disability ID is NOT denied of concession in ST Buses.

I would look forward to receiving your response in this matter.

Thanks and Regards

Pradeep
Gujarat