PFB demands concessions for PwDs using UDID Cards in Railways
Ferozepur, July 19, 2024: The Progressive Federation for the Blind (PFB), Punjab Branch, has called on the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of India, to push the Indian Railways to accept the UDID (Unique Disability Identification) card for concessional tickets for persons with disabilities (PwDs). As of now, the Indian Railways does not recognize the UDID card for online reservations or for getting window tickets, force PwDs to obtain a separate Railway Disability Certificate to avail themselves of concessions.
Presently, the UDID card issued by GoI is not accepted by the Railway while making an online reservation by a person with a disability (PwD) to get a concession. Persons with disabilities having centrally issued Unique Disability Identification (UDID) numbers can avail of benefits under 17 government schemes for them like persons with blindness, cerebral palsy, locomotor disability, leprosy-cured, mental retardation, mental illness etc.
Gopal Krishan, a 100% disabled Hobby Teacher at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bathinda, expressed frustration over the need for an additional Railway Disability Certificate despite possessing a UDID card issued by the Government of India. He highlighted the inconvenience of having to renew this certificate every five years, despite his permanent disability, and argued that this requirement undermines the validity of the UDID card, which he finds unnecessary and burdensome.
He said I have been issued the Railway Disability Certificate also under No. NRUM80, which is valid for five years 1.2.2021 to 4.1.206 and has to be renewed on its expiry by completing all the required formalities again by appearing before the doctor. I don’t think a 100% declared disabled person should go in for unnecessary fatigue, or renewal of a Railway Disability Certificate and in this way, the sanctity of issuing the UDID card by GoI is lost.
Anil Gupta, General Secretary of the PFB Punjab Unit, at Ferozepur, condemned the Railways' refusal to accept the UDID card as a violation of the Right to Persons with Disabilities Act and its associated rules, particularly concerning benchmark disabilities. He urged the Ministry of Railways to accept the UDID card for providing concessional tickets to persons with benchmark disabilities, ensuring that the benefits of the UDID scheme are fully utilized.