Shakti Scheme is one of the 5 guarantees given by the Congress Party during the 2023 assembly elections in the state of Karnataka. This means that women can travel in government city buses for free. When Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took charge, he implemented it. This program is benefiting women in various ways. Their living environment has changed.
Benefits of Shakti Scheme
In this regard, the JustJobs Network and Fiscal Policy Institute, operating under the Government of Karnataka, conducted a study. 786 women in Bengaluru Urban, Yadgir, Haveri, Udupi and Samraj Nagar districts were interviewed. In it, women often travel to their hometowns using the free bus facility of the government. They have strengthened the bond with family relations.
Women who travel free
They go to places of worship and tourist places in their spare time. They have said that Shakti Project has become a boon for women who were paralyzed at home. In terms of monthly expenditure and average savings account among the above 5 districts, Bengaluru Urban District is at the top. Women here save Rs 1,326 per month. Next to this are the districts of Haveri, Yadgir, Samraj Nagar and Udupi.
| Monthly cost | Average savings | |
| Bangalore Urban | 12,497 | 1,326 |
| Dress up | 11,878 | 681 |
| Samraj Nagar | 9,574 | 779 |
| Haveri | 9,006 | 1,015 |
| Yadgir | 8,889 | 784 |
Prime Minister Modi review
Even recently, in an interview related to the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Modi said that the number of passengers in the metro train has decreased due to free bus trips. But who uses the metro facilities? Who uses free bus travel? It has to be seen separately. Even so, the number of passengers on both is increasing.
Passenger increase in metro trains
For example, in the state of Karnataka, the number of passengers in government buses increased by up to 7 percent due to the Shakti scheme. Also, the number of passengers has increased by 3.18 percent in trains and 1.28 percent in metro. Most of the users of these facilities are OBC and SC.
