Karnataka: Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced on Tuesday that bus service is going to be free for all women in Karnataka without any condition. On Wednesday, the report on expanses for this scheme will be submitted to CM Siddaramaiah.
While speaking to the media after a meeting with Karnataka’s four transport corporation chiefs, “In the manifesto, we did not categorize women for this scheme. So, all women will be eligible to travel for free in government-run buses. The chief minister has called for a cabinet meeting on Wednesday and he will announce it after that. We will be submitting a report on the expenses of this scheme to the CM tomorrow.”
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) staff and workers federation recently submitted a letter to CM Siddaramaiah, requesting that the system be implemented as soon as possible, as some female passengers are already refusing to pay the bus fee. The employees also requested that the chief minister assess the scheme’s cost and compensate KSRTC in advance.
Before the assembly elections, Congress offered Karnataka women free bus rides on all state-run buses if the party was elected to power. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi even travelled in a local bus and promised that the scheme will be implemented as soon as the Congress took power.
