Ladies seats in buses: Women should seek their right, says RTO Kashmir

Will take action if complaints received

Srinagar, Mar 10 : Reacting to a series of news reports by the news agency KNO on seat reservation for ladies and senior citizens, regional transport authorities in Kashmir on Friday said women should seek their rights and that the office will take action after receiving complaints.

Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the department will enforce seat reservations for ladies.

“Written information about reserved seats for ladies or senior citizens is on display in buses, but the women do not seek their rights. They should invoke their legitimate right by asking a male occupant to vacate the seat reserved for a lady,” he said.

In a response to a question on the department’s role in ensuring the reservation of seats to ladies or senior citizens, he said they are going to act if there are complaints. “There is a government order and there are a set of instructions on it. If there are violations and complaints are received, we will act accordingly with whatever enforcement is needed,” he added.

Speaking about the late-night bus service in Srinagar, Bukhari said although there is a bit of shortage; as of now they have roped in the bus fleet of JKRTC who are operating from Srinagar during late hours.

“We need to understand that there is not so much flow of people during late night hours; had it been so there was no reason for the bus operators not to run their buses,” the RTO Kashmir said.

KNO carried a series of news items on the issue where women complained that the seats reserved for them in public transport are generally occupied by men—(KNO)