Mahalakshmi scheme: Free bus travel for women in TSRTC buses from December 9
The free bus scheme would be flagged off by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy from the State Assembly premises at 1:30 pm on Saturday
- Telangana
NewsTAP Bureau- Updated On:8 Dec 2023 2:28 PM GMT
HYDERABAD: As promised during the election campaign, the Congress Government on Friday released orders for implementation of Maha Lakshmi scheme, the first of the six guarantees.
The scheme was aimed at providing free travel for girls, women and transgender persons in the TSRTC buses in the State from December 9, 2023, coinciding with the birthday of Congress senior leader Sonia Gandhi.
The free bus scheme would be flagged off by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy from the State Assembly premises at 1:30 pm on Saturday. Women ministers and MLAs are expected to travel in the buses after the official launch of the facility.
According to the GO released by Principal Secretary (Transport and R&B) A Vani Prasad, “The scheme is for the benefit of girls and women of all age groups and transgender persons who are domiciled in Telangana. They can travel anywhere within the borders of Telangana in Palle Velugu and Express buses with effect from December 9.”
Travel in inter-state Express and Palle Velugu buses would be free up to the borders of the State. The State Government would reimburse the expenditure to TSRTC towards the chargeable fares which would have been collected on the basis of the actual distance traveled by women passengers, the GO said.
In the GO, it was also mentioned that TSRTC vice-chairman and managing director VC Sajjanar would make arrangements to develop a software-based Maha Lakshmi smart card in due course.
Sajjanar said that Mahalakshmi scheme would be applicable on City Ordinary, Express, Metro Express and Palle Velugu buses starting from Saturday afternoon. All the women who belong to the State (residents of Telangana only), are eligible to avail the service, he said.
"Women should provide valid identity cards, confirming their residence proof and to receive a 'Zero Ticket'. There will not be any limit or kilometre distance being traveled by women," Sajjanar said and added that for interstate travel, the scheme would be applicable up to the State borders.
