After Shivakumar’s remarks on Shakti free bus scheme for women, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says no proposal to revise it

On Thursday, Shivakumar himself also clarified that there were only suggestions from women but no proposal to modify the Shakti scheme before the government.

“My statement has been twisted. I only said that many economically empowered women working in the IT sector and MNCs have expressed interest in paying for the tickets as they get conveyance allowance from their companies. I said that I would discuss this with the transport minister. I never said that the guarantee scheme would be stopped,” the deputy CM said.

“There is absolutely no question of withdrawing any of the five guarantee schemes. But we can’t force the guarantee schemes down the throats of people who do not want it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a public appeal to voluntarily give up LPG subsidy. I only said that something similar could be done,” he added.

“As the KPCC president and the deputy CM, I reiterate that none of the schemes will be withdrawn at any cost. These schemes will continue not only for the next 3.5 years but also for five more years in the next term of the Congress government,” Shivakumar further said.

He said the transport department will need a clearance from the state government to allow some women to pay for their tickets.

“The conductors are hesitant to collect fares from women as the law states otherwise. Some may even allege later that the government is forcibly collecting fares from women. In this backdrop, we need to discuss the suggestions from women,” he said.