Free bus travel for women on all government buses in Karnataka from June 11: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: In a major announcement aimed at promoting women's empowerment and ensuring safe and accessible transportation, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has declared the implementation of free bus travel for women across the state, starting from the 11th of this month. This significant initiative, known as the Shakti Guarantee scheme, aims to provide women with a cost-free mode of transportation on all government buses, excluding AC buses and sleeper buses.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made the announcement during a press conference held following a cabinet meeting. He emphasized the government's commitment to empowering women and facilitating their mobility by removing financial barriers associated with bus travel. The free bus travel scheme is not limited to a specific category of women, as it extends its benefits to all women passengers.
Under the Shakti Guarantee scheme, women of all ages, backgrounds, and occupations will be able to commute without incurring any expenses on government-operated buses.
However, it is important to note that the scheme excludes AC buses and sleeper buses from its coverage. While these categories of buses will not be part of the free bus travel initiative, women passengers can still avail themselves of the benefits on all other government-operated buses including BMTC buses in the state capital.
The CM further added that 50% seats of all government buses will be reserved for men passengers to maintain balance.
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UDF will have huge win in Kerala, NDA won't open its account: Cong leader Satheesan
Kochi (PTI): Senior Congress leader V D Satheesan on Friday expressed confidence in a huge win by the UDF, claiming it will make a clean sweep in five districts, and brushed aside speculations that the NDA will open its account in Kerala.
Satheesan, speaking to reporters here a day after the conclusion of the Assembly polls, praised the performance of the UDF leaders and workers during the election, saying it was the best ever he has seen in the last 30 years.
He said that his claims of the UDF getting over 100 seats is not a mere statement, but based on the work the front has done during the last five years to bring back all those who had left it in 2005 and as a result, there was a huge wave in its favour in the state.
The leader of opposition in the state assembly, who contested from the Paravoor constituency, further said that the Congress-led front also had a major social backing from minorities and marginalised groups in the society.
Besides that, there was an anti-incumbency feeling among the people who were disappointed with the LDF rule, he claimed and said that the UDF provided them with a hope and an alternative which no other opposition had done in the past.
"All these factors will contribute to a huge win for the UDF and it would not be surprising if we make a clean sweep in Malappuram, Wayanad, Ernakulam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts. That is a total of 43 seats," he said.
According to him, the polling percentage increased because the UDF got people added to the electoral list.
He also brushed aside the LDF remarks about a woman or youth CM, saying that "they can make such statements now as they know they cannot win".
"Otherwise, why did they campaign with Pinarayi Vijayan as the main factor. Why did they say a third Pinarayi rule will come?" he asked.
He also claimed that the LDF's decision to spend government money on its political campaign, by putting up hoardings and carrying out social media programmes to sway voters, has also backfired as people realised that their taxes were being wasted like that.
Asked whether the NDA will open its account, especially in areas where the UDF claimed the BJP-led front had made a deal with the LDF, Satheesan replied in the negative.
He said that as of now he does not see any chance of the NDA opening its account in the state.
