Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday, 22 May 2026 highlighted the Shakti Scheme's third anniversary, citing over 726 crore free journeys enabled for women across the state and a total expenditure of ₹18,943 crore under the programme since its launch in 2023.

Context

The Shakti Scheme was introduced by the Indian National Congress government in Karnataka as one of five guarantee schemes promised in its 2023 assembly election manifesto. The programme provides women with free travel on state-run buses, aiming to improve daily mobility, safety, and access to economic opportunities. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that the scheme has 'given women the freedom to travel with dignity, safety and confidence.'

The anniversary falls under the campaign hashtag #3YearsOfNavaKarnataka, marking three years of the Congress government's welfare-focused agenda in the state. The ruling party has positioned the five guarantee schemes — of which Shakti is among the most visible — as a cornerstone of its governance record.

Policy Backdrop

Free and subsidised public transport for women has emerged as a significant policy instrument across several Indian states in recent years. Karnataka joins states such as Delhi and Tamil Nadu in deploying this model to advance gender equity and reduce household travel expenditure for lower-income families. The approach reflects a broader competitive dynamic in Indian electoral politics around women-focused welfare benefits.

The Shakti Scheme operates through Karnataka's state transport corporations, which bear the cost of free rides subsequently reimbursed by the state government. This model has sparked ongoing debate among fiscal analysts and opposition voices about long-term sustainability and the financial health of the transport undertakings involved.

Stakeholders and Impact

Women commuters — particularly daily wage earners, students, and domestic workers — form the primary beneficiary group of the Shakti Scheme. For many in semi-urban and rural parts of Karnataka, the programme has reduced a meaningful portion of monthly household transport costs. State transport corporations, meanwhile, have had to manage increased ridership alongside questions about fleet capacity and route coverage.

The Congress government has consistently framed the scheme as an empowerment measure rather than a subsidy, arguing that mobility is a prerequisite for women's participation in the workforce and public life. Critics, including opposition parties, have at various points raised concerns about the fiscal burden on state finances and the need for transparent accounting of reimbursements to transport bodies.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to forthcoming Karnataka state budget discussions and whether allocations for Shakti are maintained, expanded, or restructured. Any announcement extending the scheme to additional modes of transport — such as suburban rail or metro services — would mark a significant policy step. With the next Karnataka assembly elections on the horizon, the scheme's political salience is likely to grow, making its fiscal and operational performance a key point of scrutiny for all parties.