Telangana's free bus service boosts livelihood for women, transgenders

Hyderabad: The free bus service introduced by the Congress government for women and transgender people is proving to be a game-changer, enabling many to travel across the state for work without the burden of transportation costs.

One such beneficiary, a transgender person, Dilip Jhitu from Nalgonda, shared her experience on how the free bus service has transformed their livelihood. "I am now earning between ₹ 6,000 and ₹ 8,000 a week by performing pujas during Bonalu and rituals at the Vemulawada, Komaravelli Mallanna and Balkampet Yellamma temples," said Jhitu, who works as Jogini.

“Last year, I had to reject requests to perform pujas because the bus charges were too burdensome. But now, I can travel for free from Nalgonda to Vemulawada, Hyderabad, Komuravelli and other cities,” she explained.

Many women, who previously hesitated to travel due to the fares and were utterly ignored by the previous BRS government, are now venturing into new opportunities, from selling handicrafts to offering professional services in urban centres.

Maheswari, a woman farmer who cultivates vegetables at her farm in Tukkapur, Thoguta mandal, takes a TSRTC bus in the morning to the Siddipet market and sells her produce at the Rythu Bazaar. She said that she earns anywhere between ₹ 1,500 and ₹ 2,000 per day.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s goal of uplifting the downtrodden is yielding results, as more women have started working and contributing to Telangana's economy.

Other initiatives under the Mahalakshmi scheme are also making a significant impact. These include Gruha Jyothi, which provides up to 200 units of free electricity per month to eligible households, and cooking gas cylinders to women at a cost of ₹ 500 apiece.

Bodasu Mallava, a home-maker from Siddipet, said, “Now, I am able to save ₹ 200 per month through Gruha Jyothi and ₹ 400 through the cooking gas scheme. The Congress government is crediting ₹ 400 every month towards the gas bill.” The 65-year-old, who also receives the Aasara pension, added that due to these savings, she was able to buy medicines and other household items.

Many families, especially those of daily labourers, and small business owners — both women and men — who take up odd jobs in cities like Siddipet and Gajwel, have expressed their happiness over the schemes initiated by the Congress government that enable them to save some money.