But the organisations were concerned about the implementation of the rule since the HIV affected may not come openly to avail of concessional tickets. According to the Karnataka Network of People Living with HIV State Advocacy, the concession will benefit many taking ART (anti-retroviraltherapy), the medicine for prolonging the life of HIV-positive people. ‘ART centres are not there in many districts and people travel every month to pick up medicines.

The Arunodaya Network of People Living with HIV, a body formed by HIV-positive people of Bangalore Urban District, was glad that a long-pending demand of the community was finally considered.

Since many did not have the means to pay for their tickets and every month they had to go to the ART Centre to collect the monthly quota of medicines, the new concessions will help.

The State Road Transport Department, too, should take a clue and provide the same concession, said another volunteer working on the issue. According to the volunteer, railway authorities should just ask for a stamp from the ART Centre or give badges just like it is done for availing Railway concession for the disabled.