DK Shivakumar says 'Will Review Free Bus Scheme' in Karnataka, Congress Chief Kharge Responds

Bengaluru: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday pulled up Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for his remark about reviewing the 'Shakti' guarantee. 

The Congress government has implemented the Shakti scheme, one of five guarantees that offers free rides for women on non-luxury government buses. 

Shivakumar stated on Wednesday that the government would consider revisiting the Shakti scheme, as some women have indicated a desire to pay for their bus travel. 

Mallikarjun Kharge Reacts to DK Shivakumar's ‘Need To Review Free Bus Scheme’

Kharge in a subtle manner pulled up Deputy CM Shivakumar for making these remarks before the media. 

"You have given some guarantees. After seeing them, I too said in Maharashtra that there are five guarantees in Karnataka. Now you (Shivakumar) said you will drop one guarantee," Kharge quipped.

CM Siddaramaiah Clarifies 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who were seated next to Kharge, laughed off his comments and dismissed his concerns. Siddaramaiah clarified that the Deputy CM merely mentioned that the government would consider a review of the scheme.

Siddaramaiah said the Deputy CM has only said the government would review it.

In reply, Kharge said, "Whatever (DCM) you have said has given them ( BJP ) a chance." The Congress chief underlined the need to stay united and never get divided under any circumstances. 

The Congress chief emphasized the importance of remaining united and stressed that they must never allow themselves to be divided under any circumstances.

Amid the poor fiscal situation of the state, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said the his government will review the Shakti scheme under which women in the state get to travel free in all KSRTC's non-luxury and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses.

Deputy CM Shivakumar said that it has come to their attention that women in the state want to pay for their bus tickets.

Will Free Bus Rides For Women In Karnataka End?“

"Many women have been communicating to us through social media and emails that they would like to pay for their tickets. We will discuss this,” Deputy CM Shivakumar said after flagging off new Airavata club class 2.0 buses of the state-owned Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).

'Bus Conductors Not Taking Money From Women'

Shakti Scheme offers free ride to women in non-luxury buses across Karnataka. It was launched on June 11, 2023 after Congress came back into power with a comfortable win over the BJP in the 2023 Assembly polls.

Shivakumar also said that bus conductors are refraining from taking money from women even if they are willing to pay.

“About 5 to 10 per cent women say that the conductors are not taking money for the tickets even when they volunteer. I will soon hold a meeting with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and discuss this,” he said.