Kerala Free Bus Scheme: Opposition Slams 'Priyadarshini Bus Scheme' | WION Dispatch

[00:00:00]Moving on to Kerala now, where the Kerala government has rolled out its new Priyadarshini free bus travel scheme for women and transgender persons. The scheme was launched officially today by the Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.

[00:00:11]However, hours after its rollout, the scheme has attracted the ire of the opposition parties who are lodging their protests. Under the scheme, remember, women of all ages and transgender persons will be eligible for free travel irrespective of income and social status. It was, in fact, one of the five Indira guarantees announced by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the assembly election campaign.

[00:00:36]However, it has only been restricted to ordinary KSRTC services.

[00:00:49]And that is where the political row is erupting. Both the opposition parties in the state are alleging that the government is making concerted attempts to bypass the scheme's norms. On the one hand, the CPI(M) is alleging that the government has diluted its poll promise by restricting the concession to ordinary KSRTC services in the first phase.

[00:01:13]Free travel, remember, is available only on ordinary buses belonging to seven selected categories, while city fast buses, along with inter-district and inter-state fast, super fast, and luxury buses have all been excluded for the first phase of 100 days.

[00:01:39]Meanwhile, the BJP has been protesting over the fact that the UDF government converted several ordinary buses to city fast buses overnight in a concerted attempt to deprive passengers from availing these benefits. They allege that the city fast stickers were affixed to buses parked in and around the Thiruvananthapuram city depot.

[00:02:04]However, the UDF government is now trying to clear up its act by alleging that the stickers were affixed to help passengers easily identify these buses.

[00:02:13]What's further intensifying this row is the limited number of buses across districts. Remember, so far the scheme remains restricted to 687 ordinary buses in Thiruvananthapuram district and even smaller numbers in Kollam and Ernakulam.

[00:02:32]And we on correspondent Binoy Krishnan has sent us this report. Take a listen.

[00:02:41]>> The trial phase of the free travel for women in KSRTC, a flagship project of the UDF government, has commenced. V. D.

[00:02:48]Satheesan, the Chief Minister, inaugurated the initiative in Thiruvananthapuram. The next phase of this project will be considered after a 100-day study and a detailed evaluation.

[00:02:57]However, the opposition parties CPM and BJP have come forward in protest. The scheme will be available currently in ordinary buses only. Pointing this out, the opposition parties argue that the scheme has not been fully implemented and the government failed to keep its promise. Meanwhile, the common public welcomes the project happily. I'm Binoy Krishnan, reporting for Weon from Thiruvananthapuram.

[00:03:28]>> [music]