Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has taken a significant step towards bolstering the Shakti scheme, which offers free bus transportation for women in the state. The government has approved the purchase of more than 1,000 buses for this initiative, allocating a budget of Rs 500 crore. This decision was reached during a Cabinet meeting held on Thursday.

HK Patil, Karnataka's Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, revealed the allocation details after the meeting. He stated, "The Transport Department will procure 250 new buses for the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) at a cost of Rs 100 crore. The North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) will receive 375 buses for Rs 150 crore. The Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) will acquire 250 new buses at a cost of Rs 300 crore, while the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is set to acquire 320 air-conditioned electric buses for Rs 150 crore."

Initially, the government had sanctioned the distribution of smart cards to eligible applicants under the Shakti scheme for three months. However, it has now decided to extend the smart card distribution deadline by an additional six months. For each smart card issued to beneficiaries, a service charge of Rs 14.16 will be collected.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy also revealed that the government has given approval for the recruitment of 13,000 drivers and conductors for the state transport corporation. These appointments are necessary due to existing vacancies and numerous requests received by the government. A proposal has been submitted to the Finance Department for the required approvals, he added.

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New Delhi (PTI): A 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death at Ramleela ground in northwest Delhi for allegedly making social media comments that police described as "controversial", an official said on Wednesday.

According to the police, the assailants, also minors, attacked him with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds.

"A PCR call was received in the Shalimar Bagh Police Station regarding an injured boy lying in Ramleela ground. The police team reached the spot and found him with multiple stab wounds," a police officer said.

He was working as a labourer in a banquet hall for the last two days, the officer said. An FIR was registered and the police apprehended two juveniles in the case.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the deceased was stabbed due to an ongoing enmity, the officer said.

During questioning, the accused told the police that the victim had made "controversial comments" against them on social media. Following which, they intercepted him at Ramleela ground and stabbed him. He died on the spot, officer said.

"We have recovered a dagger and the victim's mobile phone. Further investigation in the case is underway," he added.