From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Oct 31: Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar, taken aback by the political backlash over his statement on Wednesday regarding a review of the Shakti free bus travel guarantee and its perceived negative impact, has quickly clarified that there is no question of ending Shakti or any of the five guarantees.
Speaking to media persons near the KPCC office on Thursday, Shivakumar explained that his comments regarding requests from some women, who indicated they were not interested in availing of the free bus travel facility under Shakti as they are “able to afford buying their tickets,” were “twisted and misinterpreted.”
Shivakumar mentioned that financially strong women, including those working in IT/BT or MNCs, had conveyed that they were not interested in free bus travel under the Shakti scheme as they receive travel allowances and free bus facilities from their companies. “I merely said I would discuss this with transport minister B Ramalinga Reddy and have never stated that the Shakti guarantee would be stopped,” he asserted.
Amidst the strong negative reactions from BJP leader R Ashok and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, and following a clarification by chief minister Siddaramaiah that there was no proposal to end any of the five guarantees, Shivakumar issued a further clarification within a day, affirming that the guarantees would be continued.
“There is no question of stopping or withdrawing any of the five guarantees,” he said, adding that the government cannot force people who are not interested in availing the benefits to take them. Shivakumar noted that only about 7 to 8% of financially capable women may not be interested in using the free bus travel facility under the Shakti scheme.
He also pointed out that even prime minister Narendra Modi had provided an option for people to give up their LPG subsidy. “I merely indicated that we would consider offering a similar option for those not interested in the benefits,” he said.
“As KPCC president and deputy chief minister, I want to make it categorically clear that all the five guarantees will be continued. We want to support the people, especially women, who are suffering due to price rise and inflation. The guarantees will be maintained for the next eight and a half years, including the remaining three and a half years of the present tenure,” he declared.
At the same time, he mentioned that bus conductors require a government decision to issue tickets to women who wish to voluntarily buy them, as, without an official decision, conductors could face issues. “We will consider whether tickets can be issued to women who do not want to avail of the free bus travel,” he added.