The Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench has directed the Tamil Nadu Government to consider a representation seeking the introduction of free bus travel passes for students studying in government law colleges. The order came while hearing a petition filed by Madurai resident Indiran, who requested that the authorities introduce a free bus pass scheme for government law college students. Observing that women are already permitted to travel free of cost on government buses, the Bench questioned why a similar concession was not available to government law students and instructed the Transport Department to examine the request.
Case Details
Indiran, Madras High Court Madurai Bench, Tamil Nadu Transport Department, Government Law Colleges, Tamil Nadu Government
Petition seeking free bus passes, government directed to examine representation, student welfare issue, case disposed of
Representation submitted to authorities, existing free travel scheme for women, judicial observations, government review ordered
Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and Sakthivel, hearing concluded, possible policy consideration, transport benefits for students
According to the petition, the petitioner had earlier submitted a representation to the concerned government authorities requesting the introduction of a free bus pass scheme for students enrolled in government law colleges. As no decision was reportedly taken on the representation, he approached the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench seeking appropriate directions for the authorities to consider his request.
During the hearing, the Bench comprising Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and Sakthivel observed that women are presently allowed to travel free on government buses under the existing state scheme. The judges questioned why a similar travel concession was not extended to students studying in government law colleges and indicated that the matter deserved administrative consideration.
After hearing the submissions, the Court directed the Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Transport Department to examine the petitioner’s representation in accordance with law and take an appropriate decision. With this direction, the Bench disposed of the petition without issuing any direct order for implementing the scheme.
The Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench confirmed that the petitioner’s representation must be duly considered by the Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Transport Department in accordance with law.
