Congress's Five Guarantees: Karnataka Govt Issues Orders For Shakti Scheme Offering Women Free Bus Ride

As per the directive, the eligibility criteria for the program requires the beneficiaries to be residents of Karnataka.

The Congress had pledged in its electoral manifesto to provide free transportation for women on state-owned buses. ( Image Source :Getty )

From June 11 onwards, the 'Shakti' scheme will be enforced by the Karnataka government which provides free travel for women in state-owned buses. However, the implementation comes with some conditions such as the reservation of 50% of seats for men, news agency PTI reported.

The Congress had pledged in its electoral manifesto to provide free transportation for women on state-owned buses, assuring that it would be one of the five electoral guarantees implemented upon gaining power in the region.

Karnataka govt issues orders for implementation of 'Shakti' scheme under which women can avail free travel in state-run buses, with certain conditions, from June 11

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 5, 2023

As per the directive, the eligibility criteria for the program requires the beneficiaries to be residents of Karnataka. Transgender individuals are also eligible to benefit from the "Shakti" program in conjunction with women.

The individuals who receive benefits from this program are restricted to traveling exclusively within their state, and they are not permitted to enjoy the free ride services for inter-state buses.

The scheme does not cover any opulent buses including Rajahamsa, Non-AC sleeper, Vajra, Vayu Vajra, Airavat, Airavat Club Class, Airavat Gold Class, Ambari, Ambari Dream Class, Ambari Utsav Fly Bus, EV Power Plus.

The government has announced that individuals can take advantage of the program on buses run by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC).

The remaining three state road transport corporations, namely KSRTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC, will reserve 50 percent of their seats for men in addition to the BMTC.

According to the order, road transport companies will receive reimbursement based on the true amount of mileage covered by female passengers.

Within the following ninety days, women have the opportunity to obtain the Shakti Smart Card by means of the government portal 'Seva Sindhu'.

Until the release of the Shakti Smart Cards, recipients have the option to utilize identity cards distributed by either the central or state government according to the directive.