In a creative way to protest against the recent hike in bus fares by the Congress-led government in Karnataka, the BJP party gave out roses to passengers in Bengaluru. They criticized the government, calling the new “Shakti” scheme a “scam.” They claimed that while women get to ride for free, men have to pay more.
R. Ashoka, the Leader of the Opposition, personally handed out roses to people on buses and encouraged them to ask the government about the fare increase. He said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is one of the state’s worst leaders and that the Congress government is not good at running things. Ashoka complained that the fare hike was unfairly blamed on rising petrol prices, reminding everyone that fares didn’t go up when the BJP was in charge, even when fuel prices rose.
In response, the Congress party defended their decision and got back at the BJP, reminding them that bus fares went up during Ashoka’s time as transport minister. They said the BJP had no right to complain about this hike.
The Karnataka cabinet decided to increase fares by up to 15% for four state-run transport services starting January 5. This change is expected to bring in about ₹74.85 crore every month, which totals around ₹784 crore a year.
Karnataka’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, H.K. Patil, explained that the fare increase affects the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC), and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). He noted that BMTC fares had not gone up since January 2015, when diesel cost ₹60.90 per liter.
Patil assured everyone that the ‘Shakti’ scheme, allowing women to travel for free on regular state buses, will continue. He mentioned that ₹5,015 crore has been set aside for this scheme in the current financial year.
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