The Kerala government has decided to implement the ‘Priyadarshini Scheme’, under which women and transgender individuals will travel free on KSRTC ordinary buses. The government will compensate for the revenue loss. Read the full story
The Kerala government on Wednesday approved the ‘Priyadarshini Scheme’, which will provide free travel to women on KSRTC ordinary buses from June 15. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan made the announcement after the weekly cabinet meeting. He said there will be no eligibility criteria for the scheme, and there will be no age or income restrictions.
Who will compensate?
The government has decided to fully compensate KSRTC for the revenue loss caused by this initiative. It is estimated that this scheme will cost the state treasury approximately ₹800 crore annually, which will be transferred to KSRTC as compensation. “Currently, the state government will provide approximately ₹1,500 crore annually as financial assistance to the KSRTC,” Satheesan told the media shortly after the weekly cabinet meeting. “The additional burden arising from the free travel scheme will now be added to this assistance.”
Review after six months
The scheme will initially apply only to general service buses. The government plans to review it after six months. The KSRTC has been asked to increase revenue and strengthen its financial position during this period. Transgender persons will also benefit from the scheme, broadening its scope. This announcement is part of the government’s efforts to increase access to public transport and ensure mobility for women.
The scheme is expected to become one of the new government’s major welfare initiatives, but its financial impact on the KSRTC and the state budget is likely to remain a major topic of discussion in the coming months.
Responding to the discussion at a CPI-M party meeting, which analyzed the CPI-M’s crushing electoral defeat and suggested that a secret pact had been reached between the Congress and the BJP, which benefited both parties, Satishan said, “Was this the main point of discussion at their various party meetings? But from what we have read, the focus of the discussions at their meetings was that the main reason for their defeat was their leadership and their style of governance.”
He also stated that no decision has yet been taken on the future course of action regarding the controversial PM-Shri project and the proposed high-speed rail project, which was discussed with Metroman.
Published by: Asmita Tripathi
Courtesy: Hindi News