The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) issued an important order on 30 September 2013 regarding free bus travel for personnel honoured with specified military awards and commendations.
The order did not create a completely new scheme. It expanded an earlier 23 May 2002 UPSRTC circular by extending the benefit to eligible Chief of the Naval Staff Commendation Card and Chief of the Air Staff Commendation Card holders.
Who was already covered under the earlier UPSRTC order?
The 2013 document refers to an earlier UPSRTC circular dated 23 May 2002, under which free bus travel had been allowed to persons receiving specified military awards and recognitions.
The list mentioned in the order includes:
What was the issue with Commendation Card holders?
The earlier circular specifically mentioned the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Card.
This meant that eligible Army Commendation Card holders were covered under the free-travel provision, while equivalent Commendation Card holders from the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force were not mentioned in the same category.
UPSRTC later considered this difference.
What changed in 2013?
The UPSRTC Board took up the matter in its 195th meeting held on 5 September 2013.
It decided that two additional categories should also receive the free-travel facility:
- Chief of the Naval Staff Commendation Card
- Chief of the Air Staff Commendation Card
The decision was formally communicated through the UPSRTC headquarters order dated 30 September 2013.
Does this mean every soldier or veteran can travel free?
No.
The document should not be interpreted to mean that every serving Armed Forces member, veteran or ex-serviceman automatically receives free travel in UPSRTC buses.
The benefit described in the order is linked to the specified award and commendation categories mentioned in the UPSRTC circular.
Do the old rules and conditions still apply?
Yes.
The 30 September 2013 order clearly states that the rules and conditions prescribed in the earlier circular dated 23 May 2002 would continue to remain effective.
This means the 2013 document mainly expands the eligible Commendation Card categories. It does not reproduce all the detailed conditions governing the free-travel facility.
Therefore, issues such as the exact travel procedure, documents required or other operational conditions would need to be checked from the original 23 May 2002 circular.
What is the main takeaway?
The key point is simple.
UPSRTC’s earlier free-travel provision already covered specified military award and recognition holders, including the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Card.
In 2013, the benefit was extended to also include:
- Chief of the Naval Staff Commendation Card holders
- Chief of the Air Staff Commendation Card holders
The existing rules and conditions of the earlier UPSRTC circular continued to apply.
Sources:-
Dainik Jagran — 23 October 2013
This report specifically states that the free-travel benefit was extended to Chief of the Air Staff Commendation Card and Chief of the Naval Staff Commendation Card holders, and lists the earlier eligible categories.
सेना को भी मिलेगा रोडवेज बस में निशुल्क यात्रा का लाभ — Dainik Jagran
2. Navbharat Times — 11 October 2013
This report also covers UPSRTC’s free-bus-travel decision for gallantry/recognition holders and the extension to Navy and Air Force personnel.
वीरता पुरस्कार धारकों को फ्री बस यात्रा की सुविधा — Navbharat Times
3. UPSRTC official portal
For official UPSRTC information and current records:
Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation — Official Portal
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