KSRTC offers free bus travel for cancer patients across Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The KSRTC said it has issued an order granting free travel to cancer patients for treatment-related journeys to any hospital within the state.
Earlier, the Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar had announced plans to introduce such a scheme.
According to the order issued by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation Chairman and Managing Director Pramoj Sanker on October 29, cancer patients can now travel free of cost on KSRTC buses—from ordinary to superfast services—for chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatment-related purposes.
According to the order, eligible patients must apply for a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) card through the website keralartcit.com.
Applicants are required to upload a passport-size photograph, a copy of their Aadhaar card, proof of residential address, and a certificate issued by an oncologist.
Once the documents are verified by the KSRTC headquarters, the RFID card will be delivered to the applicant’s residence by the respective unit officer, the order said.
The corporation also warned that if any of the submitted medical documents are found to be fake, legal action would be initiated and the card would be cancelled.
Previously, cancer patients travelling to the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) were eligible for a 50 per cent concession on KSRTC’s ordinary and city service buses.
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TN CM Vijay calls fuel price hike ‘unacceptable’, seeks rollback
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday slammed the increase of Rs 3 per litre in petrol and diesel prices, calling it "unacceptable", and demanded its immediate rollback, claiming the revision would affect various sections of society.
He said oil marketing companies do not reduce prices in line with global crude price trends and "take the profits".
"Union government oil marketing companies have increased the price of petrol and diesel by Rs 3 per litre. This is not acceptable," Vijay said in a statement.
The hike has been effected after the "five-state polls" (four states and one union territory), he added.
This price rise will largely affect the income of the poor and middle class using two-wheelers and small vehicles, as well as others dependent on vehicles for their livelihood, the CM said.
It will ultimately result in an increase in the prices of daily commodities and also "affect the purchasing power of the poor," he added.
Citing the chain effect of the price revision, such as increased input costs for small units, he said it could lead to a "slowdown" in the market and exports.
"Therefore, I urge the union government to immediately roll back the price hike that will affect the poor and middle-class people and SMEs," Vijay added.
Global crude oil prices have surged more than 50 per cent since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, which disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil shipments.
Petrol and diesel prices are now at their highest level since May 2022.
