DK Shivakumar hints Karnataka government considering changes in ‘Shakti scheme’

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Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hinted at possible changes to the Shakthi scheme, one of his government’s schemes providing free bus travel for women across the state. Shivakumar said that a portion of women commuters indicated they had a preference to pay for their tickets, despite the scheme’s intent to ease travel costs.

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“Many women have been reaching out on social media and through emails, expressing that they would prefer to pay for their tickets,” he shared during a press interaction on Wednesday, October 30, after launching KSRTC’s new Airavata Club Class 2.0 buses.

The deputy chief minister also elaborated on the scheme’s reception and the government’s commitment to evaluating citizen feedback. “I will discuss this with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and assess how we can proceed,” he stated. This feedback comes as the state reviews its free transport policies and aims to refine services according to the people’s needs.

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Highlighting KSRTC’s growth, Shivakumar praised the corporation’s progress since its humble beginnings. “When KSRTC began, we only had 120 buses. Today, we operate 24,282 buses. In our tenure, we promised 6,200 new buses, and 3,400 have already joined the fleet,” he said. The administration has also started hiring 9,000 new drivers and conductors, with nearly 1,000 employees being hired on a compassionate basis for families affected by tragic accidents. The government, in a supportive measure, offers a Rs 1 crore compensation to families of employees killed on duty.

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Shivakumar commended KSRTC’s commitment to service over profit. “KSRTC isn’t about making money; it’s a public service, and a well-run KSRTC brings goodwill to the government,” he added. Noting recent collaborations with private players to obtain fuel at rates below market prices, he highlighted KSRTC’s efforts to reduce operational costs.