Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Soon after the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka implemented the first of its five major poll promises in the state — free bus rides for women and transgender people in government-run buses – on Sunday, a photograph went viral. It showed a woman bowing down in gratitude as she stepped into a bus. It wasn’t long before the image caught the attention of the chief minister himself.
The woman in question was later identified as Ningavva Shiggadi, 70. “Prior to this, I had to take permission and money from my children to travel to other places. But now, with free bus rides, I do not have to depend on them anymore. This has really made me happy,” an elated Ningavva said.
On Sunday, when the scheme was implemented, Ningavva took a bus from Dharwad to Savadatti in Belagavi district. “I was waiting for a bus to go to Mylara in Vijayanagar district but could not get it. I had a programme to attend in Savadatti and someone told me that the bus ride would be free. I waited for two hours to get the bus. I was not confident that I would get a free bus ride but when the officials told me, I bowed down with happiness. I also prayed for Siddaramaiah’s well-being,” she said.
Reacting to Ningavva’s viral photo, Siddaramaiah said, “There was a lot of criticism from a section about making bus rides free for women, but we implemented the Shakti scheme. A woman happily travelled for free… More than the amount of funds we spend, it is important to know for whom we are spending. This photo will be in my memory for a long time.”
On the first day, a total of 5.71 lakh (5,71,023) women passengers availed of the free rides between 1 pm and midnight, costing the government Rs 1.40 crore (1,40,22,878) in free tickets. The numbers are expected to increase as the transport department said, “There are many schedules due to return by late evening/night
today/tomorrow. Hence, the number of women passengers travelling in those buses have not been included.”
According to the transport department, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will incur an annual cost of Rs 1,563.60 crore, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) Rs 770.16 crore, North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) Rs 906.84 crore and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) Rs 810.96 crore as a result of the new scheme. The total expenditure thus incurred would add up to Rs, 4,051.56 crore.
All women in the state are eligible to avail of this scheme. It is estimated that around 41.81 lakh women (including 11.58 lakh pass holders) will benefit from it.
In all, women can travel for free in 18,609 buses in the state, of which 6,308 are city buses, 5,958 are ordinary buses and 6,343 express buses. Free travel will not be permitted in luxury and premium buses. While the gross revenue of all RTCs in Karnataka is Rs 12,553 crore, the current expenditure is Rs 12,750 crore, with a loss of Rs 197.12 crore. However, with the implementation of the scheme, the loss is likely to increase.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
