The Kerala government has approved the ‘Priyadarshini Scheme’ to offer free travel for women on KSRTC ordinary buses starting June 15. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan revealed that there are no specific eligibility criteria for this scheme, irrespective of age or income. The government will fully compensate KSRTC for the anticipated revenue loss, estimated at around Rs 800 crore annually.
The state government currently allocates approximately Rs 1,500 crore yearly to KSRTC as financial aid. This additional burden from the free travel initiative will be included in this support, as stated by Satheesan following the weekly cabinet meeting. Initially, the scheme will apply to ordinary service buses, with a planned review after six months to assess its impact.
Furthermore, transgender individuals will also benefit from this scheme, expanding its coverage. This move aligns with the government’s objective to enhance public transport accessibility for women and promote increased mobility. The ‘Priyadarshini Scheme’ is anticipated to emerge as a significant welfare measure under the new administration, although its financial implications on KSRTC and the state budget are expected to be closely scrutinized.
In response to the CPI-M’s claims during their party meeting regarding a supposed secret agreement between the Congress and the BJP influencing the election outcome, Satheesan dismissed these allegations. He emphasized that the focus should be on the leadership and governance strategies that led to their defeat. Additionally, decisions regarding the PM-SHRI project and the proposed high-speed rail initiative, following discussions with Metroman, are pending.
