Karnataka’s Congress govt flags off first of 5 promises: free bus ride for women

Until then, beneficiaries can use any government IDs as proof of being a resident and travel for free, according to Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy. The scheme was launched at 1 pm at all district headquarters of the state.

The total outgo for the Shakti scheme is expected to exceed Rs 4,000 crore annually and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will have to add 4,028 buses to its fleet for the successful implementation of the scheme, according to a report submitted to the government by the transport department.

By using the smart cards, transport corporations such as Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, BMTC, North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and the Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, will calculate the total distance travelled by women passengers. The government will reimburse these corporations based on the distance travelled by beneficiaries.

The scheme does not apply to air-conditioned and luxury buses and is limited to travel within the state. It also reserves 50 per cent of seats for men in three transport corporations, except BMTC.

During the launch, Siddaramaiah said such welfare schemes benefit the economy. The total outgo for the five guarantees announced by Congress – Shakti, Gruha Lakshmi (Rs 2,000 for women heads of family every month), Gruha Jyothi (free power up to 200 units per month), Yuva Nidhi (unemployment allowance for graduates and diploma holders) and Anna Bhagya (10 kg rice per person) – will be around Rs 59,000 crore.

“It is not important how much we are spending, but on whom we are spending it on… There is no benefit if money is in a rich man’s pocket. But, there are benefits (to the economy) if there is money in a poor man’s (pocket)… as it will enter the markets… Our goal is to put money in his pockets,” he said.

Schemes such as Shakti, he said, will boost female labour participation. In India, female labour participation is around 24 per cent, compared to 65 per cent in Australia, 53 per cent in Indonesia and 30 per cent in Bangladesh, he said.

“The scheme will help empower women. When women are empowered, economic and social inequality can be reduced gradually,” he added.