K'taka CM: No Plans to Revisit 'Shakti' Free Bus Travel Scheme For Women

Bengaluru: Karnataka CMr Siddaramaiah said on Thursday that re is proposal before government to revisit 'Shakti' scheme, which provides free bus travel for all women in state.

clarification arose in response to criticism of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's suggestion to reconsider scheme.

Facing backlash for his remarks, Shivakumar clarified on Thursday that he will t withdraw or reconsider any of five guarantee schemes, including Shakti. He also accused media and opposition parties of misinterpreting his comments.

"re is such proposal before government, he (Shivakumar) only said what some women are saying. I don't kw, I was t re. I will speak," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question regarding Deputy CM's statement.

"re is situation for revisiting it at government level. re is such intention, re is such proposal." CM said to reporters. ting that many women had tweeted and reached out to him expressing ir willingness to pay for ride, Shivakumar, addressing an event on Wednesday, said: "let's see, we will all sit and discuss it. y are a section (of women), y may be 5-10 per cent. Let's see, some have honestly expressed y are ready to pay. Ramalinga Reddy (Transport Minister) and I -- we will discuss in government, what to do." Shakti is one of five guarantee schemes rolled out by Congress government after coming to power last year.

Clarifying, Shivakumar on Thursday said, "I have t given any such statement, you (meida) and or parties are distorting my statement. Some who are well off and commute by bus, like employees, employees of private companies, have sent us mails, y have informed us, I can even show you ir tweets (posts on X), that ir companies are covering ir transportation cost..." Observing that almost 6-7 per cent, who are working in IT and or companies are getting transportation cost covered by ir firms, he said y are saying that even if y give bus ticket charges it is t being taken... I had said that I would speak with Minister (Transport Minister) on this." Affirming that re is question of withdrawing or revisiting any of five schemes, Deputy CM said, "if someone says y don't want free bus service, can I force you.... like in gas issue (LPG) Prime Minister had given an option to voluntarily surrender (subsidy), I said we will think on similar lines." "As party state president and Deputy CM I am making it very clear five guarantees will continue for remainder of this government's term and ar five years after that, as we will again come back to power," he added.

Home Minister G Parameshwara, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and a few or Ministers too said re was proposal before government to review Shakti or any or guarantee schemes and such discussions have taken place at government level.

Leader of Opposition in Assembly at BJP leader R Ashoka, hitting out at Shivakumar and Congress government, said administration has become a "laughing-stock" and called it a "Tuglaq government".

"Deputy CM has claimed that he has received calls and messs from women regarding Shakti scheme. Is he Transport Minister? Leaving Transport Minister and CM it seems that women have called and sent messs to him. It is clear that exchequer is empty...y are looking at reasons to cancel scheme," he said.

As Lok Sabha elections are over, y feel that people can't do anything to m (Congress) w and hence are finding ways to "reduce" schemes, he said, pointing out that BJP had cautioned that guarantee scheme won't be re after Parliamentary polls. "This is step in that direction...." JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy said Shakti scheme is first step towards Congress government's plan to "delete" five guarantee schemes one after or. "y are preparing a st for it...." Taking a dig at Shivakumar, he asked, "who will say y have eugh money and don't want Shakti scheme... one after or guarantee scheme will be withdrawn, this is a step in that direction. Days are t far off for true colour of this government to come out in open." Shakti scheme was launched on June 11, 2023 within a month of government assuming office.

As on October 18, 2024, state spent Rs 7,507.35 crore on Shakti scheme for 311.07 crore free rides by women.

(With PTI inputs)