Free ride for patients of AIDS and cancer in state buses

Free ride for patients of AIDS and cancer in state buses

Express news service

Posted online: Friday, March 28, 2008 at 0104 hrs IST

Kolkata, March 27
Here's some good news for cancer and AIDS patients. For they will be able to travel free of cost in state buses from April 14, the commencement of the Bengali new year.

Transport minister Subhas Chakraborty today issued a statement announcing the new scheme. Chakraborty has said that several notifications, allowing free travel facilities for physically-challenged persons of certain categories, along with a companion in some cases, in the State Transport Corporation buses have been issued so far.

Earlier the state transport department had amended rules for reserving two seats in every bus for the physically-challenged. Now, steps have been taken extending free travel facility to AIDS and cancer patients that may help them travel for periodic treatment.

"Considering the problem of such patients, the department has decided that such free travel facility be extended to cancer patients and patients suffering from AIDS, travelling alone or with an escort in State Transport Corporation buses for treatment/ periodic check-up on production of necessary medical certificate in the matter with effect from 14.04.2008, Poila Baisakh, 1415," the minister said in a statement issued in reply to a call attention motion raised by legislators Nirmal Das and Jane Alam Mian in the state Assembly recently.

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Free ride for patients of AIDS and cancer in state buses Express news service Posted online: Friday, March 28, 2008 at 0104 hrs IST Kolkata, March 27 Here's some good news for cancer and AIDS patients. For they will be able to travel free of cost in state buses from April 14, the commencement of the Bengali new year. Transport minister Subhas Chakraborty today issued a statement announcing the new scheme. Chakraborty has said that several notifications, allowing free travel facilities for physically-challenged persons of certain categories, along with a companion in some cases, in the State Transport Corporation buses have been issued so far. Earlier the state transport department had amended rules for reserving two seats in every bus for the physically-challenged. Now, steps have been taken extending free travel facility to AIDS and cancer patients that may help them travel for periodic treatment. "Considering the problem of such patients, the department has decided that such free travel facility be extended to cancer patients and patients suffering from AIDS, travelling alone or with an escort in State Transport Corporation buses for treatment/ periodic check-up on production of necessary medical certificate in the matter with effect from 14.04.2008, Poila Baisakh, 1415," the minister said in a statement issued in reply to a call attention motion raised by legislators Nirmal Das and Jane Alam Mian in the state Assembly recently.