DoTM published a public notice on Wednesday to implement the legal provision enshrined in the Senior Citizens Act 2006. Senior citizens have to produce their citizenship card or a voter identity card issued by the election commission or a pension card or an ID issued by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare for getting the fare discount in public buses. [break]
“Two elderly people at a time can get the discount and reserve seats on public buses on a first come first served basis,” said, Sudarshan Prasad Dhakal, director general of DoTM.
Though the Act was promulgated some seven years ago, officials say the implementation did not take place because stakeholders did not show any concern and it was a burden for transportation entrepreneurs.
However, this time, continuous protests for the last eight months by senior citizens demanding such facilities in public buses pressured DoTM to take the decision.
The Supreme Court had also issued a directive to the government in 2010 to implement the Act and devise the needed guidelines.
Asked about implementation of the Act, Dhakal have his assurances. “We have consulted the bus entrepreneurs while preparing the guidelines, which will come into full operation from that date.” DoTM approved the Guidelines on Concession and Facility for Senior Citizens 2070, on September 17, paving the way for implementation as envisioned by the Act. A team led by the director general of DoTM is to monitor for effective implementation.
However, a group of elderly citizens is not satisfied with the notice and has continued their protest at the DoTM gates at Koteshwor. They have reiterated their demand for extending the facilities to all elderly citizens. Students and people with disabilty are already enjoying a 45 percent discount in public transport fare.
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