The ‘Shakti’ plan, which has a few limits, including 50% of the seats being allocated for men, and allowing women to travel for free on state-run buses, was announced on Monday by the Karnataka government. It will go into effect from June 11th, 2023. The Congress promised in its election program to give women free rides in government buses as one of the five electoral guarantees that would go into effect the day the Congress assumes office in the state.

Every day, almost 40 lakh women are transported by government buses in Karnataka. The number is expected to increase by 10% under the free travel program, which would cost the government about Rs 4,700 annually. When the program was implemented, V Anbukumar, the managing director of the Karnataka State Transport Corporation (KSRTC), promised greater service. He claimed that the KSRTC was certain the government would provide financial support so it could carry out its regular operations. He denied that the free travel program would have an impact on diesel purchasing when asked.

Road Transport

The beneficiaries of this program are only permitted to take intrastate buses, not interstate buses.

The order specifies that the recipients of the program must have a Karnataka residence. Transgender people can use the ‘Shakti’ program as well as women. The beneficiaries of this program are only permitted to take intrastate buses, not interstate buses. The Rajahamsa, Non-AC sleeper, Vajra, Vayu Vajra, Airavat, Airavat Club Class, Airavat Gold Class, Ambari, Ambari Dream Class, Ambari Utsav Fly Bus, and EV Power Plus are among the luxury buses that are exempt from the program.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and the Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) are among the bus companies that operate under the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) umbrella. With the exception of the BMTC, 50% of the seats in the remaining three state road transport corporations—KSRTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC—will be reserved for men.

Road Transport

Women can submit an application for the Shakti Smart Card through the ‘Seva Sindhu’ government portal during the next three months.

The order further stipulated that road transport businesses would be reimbursed based on the real distance that women passengers had gone. Women can submit an application for the Shakti Smart Card through the ‘Seva Sindhu’ government portal during the next three months. The higher authorities additionally noted that recipients may utilize identity cards provided by the federal or state governments until Shakti Smart Cards are released.

“For 60 days, we purchase fuel on credit from HPCL every day for Rs 5 crore. Therefore, there won’t be any problems, he reassured DH. He noted that the government pays RTCs every three months. He emphasized that making salary payments won’t be an issue either. “The government has provided us with funding for three years. We can manage,” he added.

Anbukumar argued that rural women would be at a disadvantage due to the online application process for Shakti smartcards. He stated, “We shouldn’t undervalue rural folks.