Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Launches Shakti Scheme for Free Bus Travel for Women
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently inaugurated an important scheme for female commuters in the state. Along with Deputy Chief Minister K Shivakumar, the Chief Minister handed out free tickets to female passengers in a BMTC bus between Vidhana Soudha and Majestic. To mark the occasion, the women on the first trip were also given roses and sweets along with the tickets.
The Shakti scheme, as it is called, makes bus travel free of cost for women in Karnataka. This means that student bus passes, which usually cost Rs 1500 for each semester, will now be free for girls. This will save them Rs 3000 in travel expenses. Sanjana, a student of Maharani College, said that this money can be used for something useful for her family. She was happy to travel with the Chief Minister on the occasion of the scheme launch.
Sarala, a domestic help who travels to Hebbal from Ganganagar everyday for work, said that she will save Rs 20 per day. She said that she can use this money to buy something needed for her home. Ganga Gauri, another domestic help, was all smiles after the launch of the scheme, as it will make her travel much easier.
Shashikala, a student of Malleshwaram Girls PU College, said that this free travel facility will help her family, as her father is no more and her mother is a construction worker. She said that the money saved from the bus travel can be used to support her education. Ambika, who does a small job near Mysore Bank Circle, said that she will be able to save Rs 40 a day. She said that she can use this money to buy groceries, vegetables and other items.
Nandini, the conductor of the bus in which the Chief Minister rode, was proud to have the opportunity to issue the first ticket. Suitable modifications have been made in ETM to facilitate free travel for women and there is no confusion about it, she said.
After the grand function at Vidhana Soudha, the Chief Minister travelled in the BMTC bus to Kempegowda Bus Station, where he launched the Shakti scheme for KSRTC, NWKRTC and NEKRTC buses. Later, he returned in the same bus to Vidhana Soudha and conducted a press conference.
At the press conference, the Chief Minister said that if the government favours the poor and the middle class, the BJP creates confusion through lies. He said that the media should not join hands with the BJP to create more confusion. He also said that as per the recommendation of the previous BJP government, the electricity tariff has been increased earlier. However, the BJP is spreading lies that the government has increased the electricity rates, which is not true.
The Shakti scheme, launched by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is a welcome move for women in Karnataka. It will help them save money and use it for other useful purposes. The scheme will also make travel much easier and safer for women in the state.
