After announcing free bus passes for students, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday clarified that they will not be issued to “outsiders”.
Soon after being sworn in as the CM on Wednesday,
Shivakumar had announced a six-point agenda with initiatives such as bus passes for students, a private-sector employment exchange, the creation of 10,000 youth associations, and a Rs 2,000-crore road infrastructure upgrade plan for Bengaluru.
Later, he told reporters, “This is for the Karnataka students only. We cannot give passes to the outsiders. Any program will be only for the locals. We can’t give it to people from any other states…”
In his first Cabinet briefing, the CM announced that free bus passes will be provided to “all school and college students” across the state.
“This is the youth era. Students were asking why there is a free bus just for girls. We are giving passes to all students – a free bus pass without any charge. A bus pass is free for all school and college students. This is the first decision by the DK Shivakumar cabinet. Students have to apply for this, will discuss this with the Transport Department,” the chief minister said.
He further said the government will finalise the operational framework for the scheme in coordination with the Transport Department. Once launched, students meeting the eligibility criteria will be able to apply for the free bus passes through a designated process.
