It’s a free ride even for my wife in KSRTC buses: CM

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said all precautions would be taken to check the misuse and wasteful expenditure in the implementation of the five guarantee schemes that have been formulated for the sake of the poor and the middle-class. Briefing reporters after the special Cabinet meeting held here on Friday, he said the government will not allow the misuse of this scheme and unnecessary expenditure.

Cracking a joke on the free bus ride for women in KSRTC buses, Siddaramaiah said this scheme is free even for his wife like other women. Taking a volley of questions from scribes, he answered them one by one and clarified the doubts regarding the free 200 units of power for every household.

“I am like a master for you (reporters) and will clarify all your doubts,’’ he quipped. As the CM was explaining the free ride for women in KSRTC buses, he accidentally mentioned that ladies can travel even in Rajahamsa buses for free. A shocked Transport & Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy rushed to the CM and told, ‘Sir, there is no free ride in Rajhamsa buses’ to which Siddaramaiah replied, ‘Let them travel free even in Rajhamsa buses’.

The minister said if that is done, everyone would travel in Rahhamsa buses and none would board ordinary buses. The free bus ride scheme will be provided to LGBT community members too, he added.