BENGALURU: The state government had proposed of providing free bus travel facility to all women working in the organised sector from April 1, in the budget presented for 2023-24 for which Rs 1,000 crore was to be set aside. The scheme was proposed to benefit a total of 30 lakh women. But with the scheme yet to take off, citizens are questioning the government over its silence on the proposal as to whether it was just fooling working women.
The government had also proposed in the budget to provide free bus pass facility to all girl students of schools and colleges at a cost of Rs 350 crore under ‘Vidhya Vahini’ scheme and about eight lakh girl students were to benefit from this scheme. But, surprisingly, the government did not issued any orders to KSRTC or BMTC before the Model Code of Conduct came into effect.
Hence, women are venting their ire at the government accusing it of making false promises for the sake of votes.
KPCC chief D K Shivakumar, reacting to a question about a free bus pass for women and girl students, said, “The CM is always fooling people. The BJP made many promises in the manifesto. The budget had nothing in it, but it was also passed. We will correct their mistakes immediately after we come to power”.
A regular bus commuter, Muthu, said, “It is an irresponsible government which has been unable to fulfill the promises proposed in the budget. Several other states are providing such facilities for women. If this government can provide free bus pass, it is good. If not, we cannot do anything. The family’s interest are uppermost on women’s minds and obviously, the government proposed this particular scheme only to gain out of it during the election. If the government announces anything for free, it is purely for electoral gains and or nothing else”.