Karnataka: Chef Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar distributed free Pink smart cards to five women during the scheme launch of “Shakti Yojana.”
Three intra-city buses were flagged off from Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru to Kalaburgi, Hassan, and Dharmasthala. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar rode a bus to the Majestic bus terminal shortly after the scheme’s introduction.
#WATCH | Bengaluru | Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah & Dy CM DK Shivakumar distribute free passes to women during the launch of free travel for women in KSRTC & BMTC Bus under 'Shakti Yojana' pic.twitter.com/83g0wVKXE2
— ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2023
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CM during the launch said, “Women were subjected to a lot of atrocities in the past. Today we have launched this scheme to empower them and make them self-reliant. We need to empower women and Dalits as they have been bereft of opportunities in the past.”
Earlier 30% of women used to travel in buses, which came down to 24% during the BJP government. They didn’t want women to come out of the house”: CM Siddaramaiah at the launch of free bus ride scheme for women in Karnataka pic.twitter.com/8ktbDTax3X
— ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2023
While assuring the bus services Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, “Three months will be there to apply for the smart passes. Smart passes will not breach any privacy. Ease of travel for women is our priority.”
The government has given women three months to apply for smart cards in order to use free interstate bus services. Meanwhile, women and transgender people who wish to receive free benefits should carry their government photo ID card that includes their residence address.
Bengaluru, Karnataka | The ‘Shakti Yojana’ will be launched at Vidhan Sabha at 11.20 am today by CM & Dy CM. We will increase buses where there is a shortage. Three months will be there to apply for the smart passes. Smart passes will not breach any privacy. Ease of travel for… pic.twitter.com/MHiktvSGHJ
— ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2023
One of the five political promises made by Congress before the Karnataka Assembly elections was to provide free bus services for women. Women in Karnataka can take advantage of free bus services beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday (June 11).
