A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Kerala High Court, challenging the ‘Priyadarshini’ free travel scheme on ordinary buses of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) for women and transgender persons launched by the State government on June 15, 2026.
The petition alleges that the scheme violates the right to equality and the right against discrimination as envisioned in the Constitution. It stated that there were no income criteria or residential qualification, and the scheme remedied no specific disadvantage. Further, it costs the public exchequer approximately ₹2 crore every day or ₹800 crore a year, it said.
The petition sought that the scheme be declared as unconstitutional, or alternatively, issue directions to the State to undertake a comprehensive financial and social impact assessment for the purpose of reconsidering the scheme. It also asked the court to direct the State to disclose the estimated annual financial liability for the scheme, the source of funds, and its projected impact on the KSRTC.
Published – June 15, 2026 09:46 pm IST
