A first: free ride for students on civic buses

Additional Municipal Commissioner Machhindranath Devnikar said on Friday the scheme will continue throughout this academic year,except on school holidays. The PMC will spend Rs 10 crore on the initiative.

Last month,the PMPML had demanded Rs 45 crore from the PMC to implement the scheme,while the amount allocated in the annual budget was only Rs 9 crore. Civic activists had alleged that the PMPML had given ‘inflated’ projections. However,on Friday Devnikar said,“There are about 2.6 lakh students in Classes V to X. Out of these only 15 to 20 per cent students travel by PMPML buses regularly. So our calculations show that around Rs 10 crore would suffice for the scheme. However,in case of additional burden,we will put up a proposal for additional amount before the civic standing committee.”

“To study the technicalities of the free-pass scheme,a committee comprising civic officials and elected representatives has been appointed. After deliberations on the issue,we have decided to put the plan into implementation from either July 31 or August 3,” Devnikar said.

“The plan is not just limited to students studying at municipal schools but is also applicable for students studying in any government recognised school. No special route will be carved out for the scheme. The scheme is valid for a trip between students’ residential area and the school. Though the scheme is open to all,it is primarily meant for needy students,” he said.

The application forms for the scheme has to be submitted by July 10. To avail themselves of the scheme,students need to submit two photographs with the application form,with a proof of residence and the school authority’s letter. The passes will be distributed to students from July 27 after a thorough scrutiny.