Bengaluru, Jan 29 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Wednesday his government has introduced a free bus pass facility for rural journalists who do not possess media accreditation certificates.
Through this initiative, he said, the government has fulfilled its budget announcement by effectively implementing the scheme, demonstrating its commitment to “walking the talk”.
Taking to X, the CM said, applications for the free bus pass are invited online.
“Journalists who are permanently employed in electronic or print media listed under the Department of Information and Public Relations and have at least four years of experience are eligible to apply. Applicants must provide one of the following documents as proof of their service tenure: appointment order, salary slip, or bank statement,” wrote Siddaramaiah in his official X page.
According to him, eligible journalists can travel for free on Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses within their district limits under this scheme. They must also submit a residence certificate issued by the Tehsildar.
Bus passes will be issued based on appointment letters and recommendations provided by editors of daily newspapers and satellite news channels, he added.
He said eligible journalists can visit their nearest Grama One, Karnataka One, or Bangalore One centers to apply online through the Seva Sindhu portal.
“They must upload the required documents and submit a printed copy of the online application along with the uploaded documents to their district's Public Relations Officer (PRO) office for self-verification,” added the CM.
ಮಾಧ್ಯಮ ಮಾನ್ಯತಾ ಪತ್ರ ಹೊಂದಿರದ ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಪತ್ರಕರ್ತರಿಗೆ ಉಚಿತ ಬಸ್ಪಾಸ್ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯವನ್ನು ಕಲ್ಪಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ಮೂಲಕ ಬಜೆಟ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಘೋಷಣೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಅದನ್ನು ಯಥಾವತ್ತಾಗಿ ಜಾರಿಗೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟು ನಮ್ಮ ಸರ್ಕಾರವು ನುಡಿದಂತೆ ನಡೆದಿದೆ.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) January 29, 2025
ಉಚಿತ ಬಸ್ಪಾಸ್ ಪಡೆಯಲು ಆನ್ಲೈನ್ ಮೂಲಕ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಆಹ್ವಾನಿಸಲಾಗಿದ್ದು, ವಾರ್ತಾ ಮತ್ತು ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ… pic.twitter.com/0MlmZjbkm2
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Bengaluru, Feb 17 (PTI): Amid speculations about leadership change in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said it is for the Congress high command to decide.
There have been talks in the state's political circles, especially in the ruling Congress party, about a chief minister change later this year, under a "rotational chief minister" or "power-sharing" formula.
"It is for the high command to decide," Siddaramaiah told reporters in response to a question on discussions about leadership change.
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, is a strong chief ministerial aspirant and has made no secret of his ambition to become the CM.
There have been time and again attempts by a section of party leaders and workers to project Shivakumar as the next chief minister.
ALSO READ: Karnataka Minister Rajanna asks Shivakumar not to 'misuse' AICC, high command's name
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy Chief Minister.
There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.
A section of party leaders, especially ministers considered close to Siddaramaiah, have been pitching for him to complete the full term as chief minister, stating that he was indispensable to the party if it wanted to retain power in the next election. These activities are notwithstanding Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's warning last month asking his party colleagues to 'shut up' and focus on governance, amid public statements from them on the leadership change issue.
A section consisting of ministers from SC/ST communities had even held dinner meetings last month, which was seen as an attempt to revive the demand for a Dalit or an AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) to become the next chief minister, in case Siddaramaiah demits office.