Karnataka govt to roll out smartcards for Shakti scheme beneficiaries within two months: Report
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Bengaluru: Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that the Karnataka government is planning to roll out smartcards for beneficiaries of the Shakti scheme within the next two months.
The move is aimed at improving efficiency, preventing misuse, and streamlining expenditure under the popular scheme that provides free bus travel for women domiciled in the state. The scheme has also overwhelmed city bus conductors, who are often at their wits’ end to issue tickets to beneficiaries quickly, as reported by Deccan Herald.
The Shakti scheme, which recently marked its second anniversary, has issued over 474 crore tickets since its inception. As of Tuesday, the initiative has cost the government Rs 11,994.37 crore.
Reddy confirmed that the operational blueprint for the smartcard system has been worked out and submitted to the Finance Department for approval. “Once we receive the Finance Department’s clearance, the matter will go to the cabinet for final approval. We aim to implement it in about two months,” DH quoted the minister as saying.
Each smartcard will be embedded with a computer chip capable of recording beneficiary’s key travel data, including boarding and alighting points, travel distance, and fare value.
The smartcards will also feature beneficiary photographs and domicile information, allowing users to simply tap their card on Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs) instead of presenting their ID.
Reddy declined to provide an estimate of the total rollout cost, stating that discussions are ongoing. “We’re still deciding who will bear the cost — whether it will be the beneficiary, the bus corporations or the government,” he said.
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
