The Karnataka government is set to enhance the efficiency of its flagship Shakti scheme by introducing smart cards for women beneficiaries. This initiative aims to streamline the process of availing free bus travel across the state.
Key Highlights
- Smart Card Introduction: Women residents of Karnataka will soon receive smart cards embedded with their photographs and domicile details, eliminating the need to present separate identity proofs during bus travel.
- Current Procedure: Presently, women must show ID cards with local addresses to bus conductors to obtain zero-fare tickets under the Shakti scheme. This manual verification is time-consuming and often leads to delays, especially during peak hours.
- Challenges Faced:
- Conductor Workload: Conductors are required to verify each passenger’s ID before issuing zero tickets, increasing their workload and causing operational delays.
- Passenger Conflicts: Disputes have arisen between conductors and passengers over ID verification, with instances of non-residents attempting to misuse the scheme.
- Benefits of Smart Cards:
- Efficiency: Pre-verified smart cards will expedite the boarding process, reducing delays and improving service punctuality.
- Accurate Beneficiary Tracking: The system will provide precise data on the number of beneficiaries, aiding in better resource allocation and policy planning.
- Implementation Timeline: Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has indicated that the government will commence the issuance of smart cards shortly, following the submission and verification of domicile proofs by beneficiaries.
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Shakti Scheme Overview
Launched on June 11, 2023, the Shakti scheme offers free bus travel to women across Karnataka. Since its inception, approximately 356 crore women have utilized the service, with the zero-ticket value amounting to ₹8,598 crore.
Impact on Public Transport
The scheme has led to a significant increase in ridership across all four state-run bus corporations:
- Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)
- Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC)
- North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC)
- Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC)
The introduction of smart cards is expected to further boost efficiency and user satisfaction within the public transport system.
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Next Steps for Beneficiaries
- Domicile Proof Submission: Eligible women are advised to prepare their domicile proofs for submission to facilitate the issuance of smart cards.
- Await Further Announcements: The government will provide detailed guidelines on the application process and distribution timeline in the coming days.
This move underscores the Karnataka government’s commitment to enhancing public transport accessibility and ensuring the seamless implementation of welfare schemes for its residents.
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