The Madras High Court dismissed a petition challenging the Vetri Payanam scheme after the petitioner, a private bus operator from Erode, withdrew the case.
The scheme, launched by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on October 2, provides free travel for women in government buses across Tamil Nadu. The scheme covers more than 12,600 buses, with the State government expected to bear around Rs. 6,000 crore annually towards the cost.
Erode-based private bus operator Kalamani had filed the petition challenging the scheme. He contended that private bus operators would suffer losses and face difficulties in continuing their businesses. He also sought similar compensation for private buses.
The petitioner further argued that the scheme was being implemented based on an announcement made by the Chief Minister under Rule 110 in the Legislative Assembly and that no Government Order had been issued. He sought a declaration that the scheme was unconstitutional and an interim stay on its implementation.
The case came up for hearing before Chief Justice S. A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan. The judges questioned how a bus operator operating on only two routes could challenge a scheme being implemented across Tamil Nadu and observed that the case could not be treated as a public interest litigation.
The petitioner subsequently informed the court that the case was being withdrawn. The court then dismissed the case.
