Shakti scheme conditions irk activists

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Shakti Scheme, introduced by the Karnataka government to provide free bus passes for women, has come under scrutiny due to two key eligibility conditions.

Firstly, applicants must be residents of Karnataka, and secondly, they are required to obtain a smart card for future free travel. These conditions have sparked concerns among activists.

Shaheen Shasa, an activist associated with Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike, an organization dedicated to improving the city's commuterfriendliness, shared her perspective on these conditions.

She expressed her belief that making a smart card an essential criterion for accessing bus services under any scheme might not be justified. She pointed out that the smart card's requirement for state domicile could potentially lead to discrimination against those who do not possess such status.

In contrast, Shaheen emphasised that currently, a bus smart card is not a mandatory requirement, and most commuters already possess the necessary identification documents if requested by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).

She also raised concerns about the potential disadvantage underprivileged individuals face due to the mandatory smart card requirement. She questioned why those who can afford paid services are offered alternatives while the underprivileged, who may lack state domicile, are not provided with similar considerations.

When questioned about the transparency of the upcoming bus smart card system, Shaheen acknowledged the situation's complexity. Nevertheless, she asserted that no individual who rightfully deserves the service across the state should be denied access.

Activists like Shaheen Shasa stress the importance of ensuring equitable access to public services, sparking discussions about the necessity of inclusivity and fairness in such welfare initiatives.