Amidst a growing trend of citizens refusing to pay their electricity bills, a fresh challenge has emerged in Karnataka. This time, revolving around women travellers in Government buses engaging in disputes with conductors over ticket fares.
The root cause of this issue lies in the electoral promise made by the Congress Government, assuring women of entitlement to free travel. However, the aftermath of this freebie has led to confusion and intensified arguments during bus journeys, leaving both passengers and bus staff grappling with an unsettling situation.
During the recent elections, the Congress party included in its Manifesto a pledge to grant free bus travel for women. Following their victory, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Government, on May 20, gave initial approval to the ‘Shakti’ scheme, which aimed to fulfill this promise. However, detailed guidelines for the scheme are yet to be issued separately, leading to a lack of clarity and mounting frustrations among both passengers and bus staff.
Following these increasing number of incidents, the Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation (KSRTC) Staff and Workers Federation has taken action by writing to Siddaramaiah, requesting him to promptly fulfil this electoral promise.
In this letter to the Chief Minister, the Federation highlighted the troubling trend of women passengers demanding travel without paying the required ticket fare, which has resulted in heated arguments during bus journeys.
Recognising the need to address this unsettling development, the federation has called for the government’s intervention in establishing a definitive policy regarding free travel for women. The aim is to provide clear instructions to the transport corporations, thereby reducing confusion and preventing unnecessary confrontations between staff and passengers.
The BJP also took the opportunity to raise concerns about the Congress party’s guarantee, taking to Twitter to voice its criticism. The party expressed that the promise has caused confusion among women travellers in the state, sharing a copy of the federation’s letter and warning that the Government’s irresponsibility in playing with public sentiment could lead to a backlash from the people.
The federation has also stressed the necessity of conducting a comprehensive estimation of the financial burden on state road transport corporations. The federation has appealed to the Government to evaluate the financial losses incurred by the transport corporations and provide compensation in advance, ensuring a smooth transition and minimising any adverse impact on their operations. Such an assessment is crucial for the effective implementation of free bus travel.
As Karnataka grapples with the challenges arising from the Congress party’s promise of free bus travel for women, the urgent need for a clear policy framework and proper financial planning has become evident.
The State Government must address these concerns promptly, ensuring that women can enjoy the intended benefits of the ‘Shakti’ scheme without causing disruptions or hardships for the transport corporations.