Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod
Kasargod, Jun 15: The Priyadarshini scheme, which provides free travel for women in Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses, was launched on Monday morning.
The scheme was inaugurated at the Uppala bus stand in Manjeshwar, a border constituency, by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf, who flagged off the service by ringing the double bell. The MLA handed over the first ‘Zero-fare’ ticket to Kusumavathi, president of Enmakaje gram panchayat.
On the occasion, party workers celebrated the launch by distributing sweets and congratulating the UDF government and MLA AK M Ashraf.
Speaking at the event, the MLA said that the scheme was part of the Indira Guarantee promised by the UDF before the elections. He added that the facility had been extended to ensure that people living in Kasargod’s border regions and depending on inter-state connectivity were not deprived of the benefits. He noted that the demand for extending the free travel facility to inter-state bus services had been raised in the Assembly, leading to the implementation of the provision.
Under the Priyadarshini scheme, women can now travel free of cost in all KSRTC buses operating between Mangaluru and Kasargod, except fast passenger services.
Those present at the inauguration included district panchayat member J Somashekar Shenoy, Lakshman Prabhu Kumble, Manjeshwar block panchayat president Saifulla Thangal, Azeez Marikke, Manjunath Alva Madwa, Abbas Mangalpady, Ashraf Karle, Kumble gram panchayat president V P Abdul Khader, Mangalpady panchayat president Golden Abdul Rehman, A K Arif, Azeez Kalathur, Enmakaje Panchayat president Kusumavathi, Puthige panchayat president Fida Ujampadavu and others.
In Kasargod, MLA Kallatra Mahin Haji also inaugurated the scheme.
A total of 114 buses in Kasargod district will be covered under the scheme. In the first phase, the facility will be available only in KSRTC ordinary buses, town-to-town services and Limited stop ordinary buses. The scheme will not currently apply to fast passenger, super fast or express services.
The scheme is open to all women and transgender persons, with no age or income restrictions. Transport Corporation officials clarified that passengers are not required to produce any smart card or identity card to avail themselves of the free travel facility.
However, women passengers must obtain a mandatory ‘Zero-fare’ ticket from the conductor without making any payment. The ticketing system has been introduced to help the government assess the financial liability arising from the scheme.
Women in Kasargod district will receive an additional benefit under the scheme. Free travel will also be available on Kerala KSRTC buses operating on the following inter-state routes.
The scheme will be applicable to KSRTC ordinary buses travelling from Kasargod district to Mangaluru, Puttur and Sullia.
Hundreds of women and girl students who travel daily from Kasargod to Mangaluru for education, employment and medical purposes are expected to benefit financially from the scheme.
KSRTC buses covered under the facility have been fitted with ‘Priyadarshini’ scheme stickers for easy identification.