Karnataka launches free bus travel for women

Women in Karnataka can travel for free in government buses in the state starting Sunday, with the rollout of the first of the five poll guarantees of the ruling Congress, the “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 p.m. 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 the Karnataka legislature and secretariat here. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and 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.