Respond to UDID benefit denial plea, Railways told

New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the Indian Railway’s response on a plea alleging it refused concession to the disabled despite having the Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID).

A Division Bench, headed by Chief Justice Rajendra Menon, also asked the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities to file response to the plea submitted by the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled.

The petitioner has sought setting aside of a commercial circular, dated March 19, 2015, issued by the Indian Railway.

It also sought direction to the Indian Railway to validate the UDID for concession-based ticketing for physically challenged (disabled) persons.

The petitioner said the Indian Railway has issued separate identity cards to disabled persons for availing concession, which is in conflict with the UDID.

The UDIDs were issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Until the initiation of UDID, the disabled were required to procure separate certificates for each specific entitlement or benefit under different schemes of the government.

The UDID, became a reality after persistent efforts and years of advocacy.