NE NEWS SERVICE
BENGALURU, JUNE 11
After Tamil Nadu, women in Karnataka can also travel for free in government buses in the state beginning Sunday, with the roll out of the first of the five poll guarantees of the ruling Congress – the “Shakti” scheme.
🎉 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔! 𝑲𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒂
Karnataka CM Shri @siddaramaiah & Dy CM Shri @DKShivakumar empower women by distributing free passes during the launch of 'Shakti Yojana' for free travel in KSRTC & BMTC buses.
Promise made, promise kept! pic.twitter.com/Jx5e6JjRsG
— Congress (@INCIndia) June 11, 2023
This free travel service will benefit more than 41.8 lakh women passengers every day and would cost the state exchequer an estimated Rs 4,051.56 crore annually, officials said.
- Free travel service will benefit more than 41.8 lakh women passengers, and would cost the state exchequer an estimated Rs 4,051.56 crore annually
- The scheme is available for women, who are domiciled in Karnataka, for the journey within the State limits
- Women can apply for the Shakti Smart Card by registering on the Seva Sindhu’ government portal, to avail the benefit of the scheme
The scheme is available for women, who are domiciled in Karnataka, for the journey within the State limits after 1 pm Sunday.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the scheme, which will provide free rides for women and girl students of the state in government buses, from the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of Karnataka legislature and secretariat here.
VIDEO | “It is an emotional day as it is something that the state was looking forward to. We believe in the women of the state, and they are the ones who gave us strength,” says Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on implementation of 'Shakti Yojana' guarantee in the state. pic.twitter.com/W3tKCStsKT
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 11, 2023
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy were among others present at the event, where the logo of the Shakti scheme was unveiled, and Shakti smart cards were symbolically issued to five women.
Women can apply for the Shakti Smart Card by registering on the Seva Sindhu’ government portal, to avail the benefit of the scheme.
As per the CM’s directions, district in-charge ministers launched the scheme in their respective districts across the state.
The government noted that this scheme would reduce the travel expenses of working women from poor and lower middle class, and as the savings can be used for household expenses, the scheme has brought smiles on women’s faces.
“We have implemented the Shakti scheme today, at a time across the state, as promised…” Siddaramaiah said as he hit out at the opposition for criticising his government with respect to implementation of guarantees and accused them of trying to create “confusion” among people.
Noting that women comprise half the population of the society and this scheme has been named ‘Shakti’ to empower them, he said, “our government’s aim is to strengthen women and ensure their active participation in the economic activities.”
Other guarantees will also be implemented as per the timeline announced, he told reporters after the launch.
‘Shakti’ is the first to be rolled out, among the five guarantees announced by the Congress ahead of the assembly elections.
