The Congress party successfully launched the Shakti scheme in Karnataka, fulfilling the first of their five promised initiatives. Bedecked buses, clean seats, and enthusiastic conductors welcomed women as they boarded the buses, marking a significant day for women’s empowerment and providing a boost to working women’s savings. The scheme aims to allow women to travel freely and independently, eliminating the need to rely on their husbands for money.
Women passengers expressed their enthusiasm for the Shakti scheme, believing that it would have a positive impact on their community. Durga, who boarded a bus from Majestic, expressed her delight at the newfound independence women can enjoy by simply boarding a bus and reaching their desired destinations. The Majestic bus terminus was adorned with rangoli created by women to celebrate the occasion. One passenger, on her way to her hometown Belagavi, expressed happiness that her daughter could now travel to school for free.
Conductors, who received training three days in advance, shared their anticipation for an increase in women passengers. The rule mandates checking ID proofs to ensure passengers are from Karnataka before issuing tickets. However, there was some confusion regarding the specific document to furnish, leading to varied experiences among passengers.
While the scheme received praise, there were also calls for its extension to working women in the city, as it currently only benefits those with a Karnataka address. Non-resident Aayushi Parekh expressed her desire for inclusion, mentioning the financial burden of spending Rs 60 on daily transportation.
Overall, the launch of the Shakti scheme by the Congress party has provided women in Karnataka with the opportunity to travel freely and independently, empowering them and enabling them to save on transportation expenses
