The Telangana government on Friday issued an order to fulfill the promise of free travel for women in state-owned State Transport Corporation buses from December 9. The newly elected Congress government of the state, in its first cabinet meeting had decided to start free travel for women and ‘Rajiv Aarogyasri’ health scheme. Insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh will be provided under ‘Rajeev Aarogyasri’.
Both these initiatives are part of the 6 ‘guarantees’ given by the Congress during the recently concluded assembly elections. The Government Order (GO) states, ‘Telangana Government has launched “6 Guarantees – Maha Lakshmi” Scheme. Under which girls and women of all age groups and transgender persons resident of Telangana will be able to travel free in buses run by Telangana State Road Transport Corporation.
The order states that the state government will pay the fare for women passengers to the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC). TSRTC Managing Director V C Sajjanar said that the formal launch of the scheme will be done tomorrow at 1.30 pm from the state legislature complex. He said that ministers, MLAs and senior officials and famous boxer Nikhat Zareen will participate in the event.