A month after the Karnataka government implemented the free bus ride scheme for women, a strike was called by the private buses amid the fact it incurred a significant amount of loss to their earnings. According to a report by Times of India, Bengaluru may face transportation disruptions on July 27 as over 20 organisations, representing private bus operators, tourist operators, auto-rickshaws and taxi drivers, have collectively decided to stage a strike against the government's Shakti scheme.
According to earlier estimates, the free travel service will benefit more than 41.8 lakh women passengers every day and would cost the state exchequer Rs 4,051.56 crore annually. However, the four state-run bus corporations in Karnataka collectively recorded a daily ridership of 50.57 lakh female passengers.
“Private bus operators have suffered a lot after the government introduced the Shakti scheme allowing free travel for women. We have been demanding that the government extend the scheme to private bus operators so that we can also survive," TOI quoted S Nataraj Sharma, representing the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Associations as saying.
According to the report, on July 27, transport associations will stage a rally which will commence from Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway station and will conclude at Freedom Park.
What govt say?
'Shakti' is the first to be rolled out among the five guarantees announced by Congress ahead of the assembly elections.
The government noted that this scheme would reduce the travel expenses of working women from the poor and lower middle class, and as the savings can be used for household expenses, the initiative has brought smiles to women's faces.
"We have implemented the Shakti scheme today, at a time across the state, as promised...," CM Siddaramaiah had said as he hit out at the opposition for criticising his government with respect to the implementation of guarantees and accused them of trying to create "confusion" among people.
