Lax implementation of govt orders deprives Kashmiri students of travel discount

Srinagar, Apr 05: Students in Kashmir are unable to benefit from the 50 percent fare discount due to the poor implementation of government orders over travel concessions.

Several orders issued by the Transport department entitle students to a 50 percent discount while traveling in public transport. The government in its orders stated that students who travel to and fro from home to educational institutions are entitled to 50 percent discount on fares.

However, the compliance of such orders seems non-existent on the ground so far.

The order issued in 2017 under notification no 05P-MVD of 2017, dated 22-06-2017, stated that students must pay only half of the regular fare, provided they carry a valid student identity card from their institution. This order applied to both the government-owned buses and private operators.

This initiative was reaffirmed in 2018 through notification no 02P-MVD of 2018, dated 16-08-2018 and later on in 2021 under notification no 01P-MVD of 2021, dated 19-03-2021.

Despite these repeated orders, on-ground implementation remains a major issue, with students frequently denied the discount by transport operators.  The noncompliance of the orders earlier prompted authorities to issue a fresh order in 2022 on student fare discount.

Due to poor implementation, students have called for strict enforcement mechanisms, awareness campaigns, and penalties for transport operators who refuse to honour the policy.

Feroz Mir, a college student who dropped out in his final semester, said the failure to enforce the student fare discount forced him to give up his education and take up labour work instead.

"I used to travel 35 kilometers to college every day, paying rupees 90 for the to and fro trip. Occasionally, a conductor would accept half fare, but for most of the days, I had to pay full fare. Spending rupees 90 each day became impossible for me, and I started borrowing money from friends and neighbours just to attend classes," he said.

Feroz, who was pursuing a BCA and is well-trained in computers, said financial struggles eventually made him stop his education. "Despite my knowledge and skills, the injustice against students forced me to stay at home. I had no choice but to give up. Now, instead of classrooms, I see my future in labour work," he said, as his eyes welled up with tears.

"In Kashmir, students are often misunderstood, but we are the future of our nation. I beg the government and transport officials to respect students' rights so they can continue their education. If I couldn't get the 50 percent discount, at least ensure it for today's students so they don’t have to choose my path over a better future," Feroz said.

Parvez Ahmad Dar, a college dropout from Rafiabad, Baramulla, said the failure to implement the government’s 50 percent fare discount order forced him to leave his education midway.

"If the government had truly enforced the fare discount, I would have been in college today instead of working as a labourer," Parvez said. "The government issues orders for public welfare, but I don’t understand why they are never implemented," he said.

Parvez said that he had to travel 40 kilometers daily for college and pay rupees 70, which was the same fare as that of a regular passenger despite being entitled to a student discount. "I come from a middle-class family, and during holidays, I did menial work to support my parents. But when I had no money for fare, I had to stay home instead of attending classes," he said.

He recalled the humiliation students faced when they tried to pay half of the fare. "The bus conductors humiliate students, and sometimes clashes break out. Eventually, I had to give up. I had no money and the government’s order was just restricted to paper. I had no choice but to leave college and start working as a labourer."

Sajad Ahmad Chopan, Chairman of the Sopore Matador Stand, which operates hundreds of vehicles across routes like Dangiwacha, Baramulla, and Zainageer, said they provide a 50 percent discount to the first four students in their vehicles.

"We allow four students per trip to pay half of the fare, but beyond that, we can’t afford it," Chopan said. "Our drivers spend over rupees 1 lakh every year on documents and vehicle maintenance. If the government provides some relief on these expenses, we can extend the 50 percent discount to all students. Otherwise, we can only manage it for a few," he added.

Maryam, a student from Tangmarg, Baramulla, said female students are regularly denied discounts by bus conductors.

"Every time we tell conductors we are students and entitled to a 50 percent discount they dismiss our pleas," she said. "They (conductors) claim they are not aware of any discount, and if they allow it for every student, they won’t be able to make money to feed families. When the bus is packed with students, they sometimes agree, but otherwise, they refuse and treat us rudely,” she added.

Maryam said many girls are forced to pay the full fare just to avoid arguments and humiliation. "But the moment a social activist steps in, those same bus conductors start providing the discount," she said. "If the government issues orders, why do they only exist on paper? Why don’t they work in reality? I don’t even know who to blame because when we speak up, no one listens," she said.

Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, Qazi Irfan, said that the students are entitled to avail the discount on fares both in private and public transport. He added that any violation in this regard will invite strict action.

“A clear order has been issued mandating a fare discount for school and college students, applicable on both private and government transport. We have issued an advisory that any violation in this regard will lead to strict action," RTO Kashmir said.