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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All ST residential schools, Raichur varsity to be named after Maharishi Valmiki: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Oct 17: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced that all Scheduled Tribe (ST) residential schools in the state and the Raichur University will be named after Maharishi Valmiki.
He made this announcement after inaugurating the Valmiki Jayanti programme, organised by the Department of Backward Classes Welfare here.
"All Scheduled Tribe residential schools and University of Raichur will be named after Maharishi Valmiki... it is my wish that the name and life of Valmiki, who reached the pinnacle of achievement through perseverance, should be immortalized," Siddaramaiah said.
Addressing the event, Siddaramaiah also criticised the BJP, alleging despite being in power at the Centre and in several states, the saffron party has not implemented the SCSP (Scheduled Castes Sub Plan) and TSP (Tribal Sub Plan) policies anywhere.
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"Our government was the first to reserve budget funds proportionate to the SC/ST population through these schemes. I initiated the concept of hostels for marginalized communities, and I will ensure there is one in every hobli," he said.
Further, the CM, called out the BJP, accusing it of opposing welfare schemes and "merely paying lip service" to the idea of equality.
"True equality can’t come without addressing economic and social disparities, as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar warned," he said.
Siddaramaiah also urged marginalized communities to stand united and develop the courage to speak the truth. “Don’t believe my words blindly. Think, reflect, and discern between truth and lies. That will be the real way to honor Maharshi Valmiki,” he said.
The Chief Minister also noted that historically marginalized communities like the Kuruba and Besta castes made significant contributions to literature and philosophy.
Pointing out that Kalidasa, the renowned playwright of Shakuntala, belonged to the Kuruba community, Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata, came from the Besta community, and Maharishi Valmiki, who wrote the Ramayana, was from a similar background, he said. "People made up stories on how a bandit like Valmiki couldn’t possibly write the Ramayana, just because these communities did not have access from education and learning Sanskrit."
Highlighting that despite societal barriers, individuals from these communities studied Sanskrit and created masterpieces like the Ramayana, which is a source of pride and inspiration for everyone, Siddaramaiah said, "When access was provided to education, they excelled and became inspirations to the world. Valmiki promoted equality and equal opportunities for all. The concept of Ram Rajya in the Ramayana represents a society where fairness and equal opportunities prevail."
He said Maharshi Valmiki had provided shelter and education to Lava and Kusha, the sons of Lord Rama, proving that he stood for universal values.
