Ministerial Panel Formed to Develop Free Bus Travel Initiative for Women in Andhra Pradesh
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Amaravati, Dec 21 (NationPress) The government of Andhra Pradesh declared on Saturday the establishment of a ministerial group tasked with researching free bus travel for women in states where it is already in effect, with the goal of developing an appropriate model for the state.
The three-member committee will be chaired by Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy. Other members include Gummadi Sandhya Rani, the Minister for Women and Child Welfare and Tribal Welfare, and Home Minister V. Anitha.
As per a government order released on Saturday, the Principal Secretary to Government, Transport, Roads and Buildings, will serve as the convenor of the committee.
In response to the committee's formation, Congress state President Y.S. Sharmila criticized the TDP-led coalition government for its lack of commitment to implementing free bus travel for women, accusing it of employing stalling tactics. She pointed out that six months have elapsed since the government took office, yet it has shown no genuine intent to fulfill its promises.
Sharmila claimed that the coalition government has postponed the scheme under the guise of festivals, stating that it had previously mentioned the need to purchase buses and is now resorting to creating a committee as another excuse.
The state Congress President took to X to question Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu about the significant delays in delivering on the electoral promise.
"Is such a massive effort necessary to implement a straightforward scheme?" she queried.
Sharmila highlighted that the Congress party managed to introduce free bus travel for women within a week of assuming power in Telangana and Karnataka.
"Did they not facilitate free travel for women using the current bus fleet? Did they not make additional provisions based on the implementation of the scheme?" the Congress leader questioned.
"Does your government lack the funds to allocate Rs 300 crore monthly to RTC under zero tickets? Do you not prioritize women's safety? What issues do you face when RTC management indicates their readiness at any moment? On behalf of the Congress party, we urge the coalition government to demonstrate its commitment by fulfilling its promise to women, ideally as a New Year’s gift," she stated.
The promise of free travel for women on APSRTC buses was part of the commitments made by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) under the 'Super Six' initiative. These schemes were included in the election manifesto of the TDP and its allies, the Jana Sena and the BJP.
