Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday assured the transport employees of all the Road Transport Corporations that they will be given insurance coverage of Rs 1 crore and a resolution would be passed in soon in this regard.
Speaking at the launch of 40 non-air condition Pallaki point-to-point express buses and 100 buses of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in Bengaluru, Shivakumar admitted that the Shakti scheme allowing free travel for women in State-owned buses has burdened the State Government. "The State Government has to reimburse the travel fares to the transport department. Though the KSRTC management and employees pointed out the possible financial burden of the scheme, the Government departments should not only consider the profits but also focus on providing service to the people,: he said. Shivakumar pointed out that ticket charges in State owned buses have not been hiked in nearly 7 years.
Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy said about 5,000 buses would be added to the four Transport Corporations in five months and about 13,000 personnel will also be recruited once the Finance department approves the proposal sent by the transport department.
Recruitments were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic in all departments including the transport, said the Minister. About 2,800 schedules that have been cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic need to be resumed in the coming days.
“Addition of new buses and recruitments will help in providing better services to the people more effectively,” Ramalinga Reddy said. So far, 73 crore women passengers have availed the free travel service under the Shakti scheme.
