Free Bus Ride

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said there is no proposal before the government to revisit the 'Shakti' scheme, which provides free bus travel for all women domiciled in the state. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had on Wednesday indicated about revisiting the Shakti scheme. "There is no such proposal before the government, he (Shivakumar) only said what some women are saying. I don't know, I was not there. I will speak...." Siddaramaiah said in response to a question regarding the Deputy CM's statement. Speaking to reporters here, he said, "there is no situation for revisiting it at the government level. There is no such intention, there is no such proposal." Noting that many women had tweeted and emailed him about their willingness to pay for travel, and that they don't want free ride, Shivakumar, addressing an event, had said: "let's see, we will all sit and discuss it. They are a section (of women), they may be 5-10 per cent. Let's see, some have honestly

The Sikkim government on Wednesday announced a 100 per cent concession on bus fares for persons with over 40 per cent disability and women in the BPL category, an official notification said. The order issued by the state transport department said that the facility can be availed of in both intra and inter-state services effective immediately. To avail of the concession, PWDs (persons with disability) must produce a valid Unique Disability ID card issued by the Centre, certifying 40 per cent or above degree of disability. Women in the BPL category must produce a BPL certificate issued by Directorate of Economics, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation (DESME), the order added.

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has proposed a 15-20% bus fee hike, citing massive losses due to free travel scheme for women; government rebukes claims

The transport corporations in Karnataka have offered free services to over 100 crore users in five months. The free tickets are worth over Rs 2,397 crore

Women in Karnataka can travel for free on government-run buses in the state from Sunday, with the administration rolling out the first of the five poll guarantees of the ruling Congress -- "Shakti" scheme. 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. The scheme is available for women, who are domiciled in Karnataka, for the journey within the State limits after 1 pm today. 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. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy were among others present at the event, where logo of the Shakti scheme was unveiled and Shakti smart cards were symbolically issued to five women. Women can apply for the Shakt

The Karnataka government on Monday issued orders for the implementation of 'Shakti' scheme under which women can avail free travel in state-run buses with certain conditions, including reservation of 50 per cent seats for men, from June 11. The Congress in its election manifesto had promised free rides for women in government buses and said this was one of the five poll guarantees that would come into effect the day it comes to power in the state. According to the order, the beneficiaries of the scheme should be a domicile of Karnataka. Along with women, transgenders can also make use of the 'Shakti' scheme. The beneficiaries of this scheme can travel only within the state and not in any inter-state buses. All luxury buses such as Rajahamsa, Non-AC sleeper, Vajra, Vayu Vajra, Airavat, Airavat Club Class, Airavat Gold Class, Ambari, Ambari Dream Class, Ambari Utsav Fly Bus, EV Power Plus have been excluded from the purview of the scheme. The government said the benefits of the sche

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As per AAP government scheme, conductors will distribute pink tickets having face value of Rs 10 each to women passengers for free-travel

There was a section of women commuters who questioned the sustainability of the scheme, saying it comes nearly three months ahead of Delhi polls, wondered whether next govt will continue the programme

Women taking Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses were on Tuesday issued pink tickets of face value of Rs 10 by conductors under the scheme