Karnataka Chief Minister Shivakumar convened his first cabinet meeting on Thursday, marking the beginning of his tenure with a significant welfare announcement. The state government will provide free bus passes to all students, a move aimed at reducing the financial burden on families and promoting education.
Key Decisions in the First Cabinet Meeting
The cabinet meeting, held at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, saw several key decisions being taken. The most prominent among them was the introduction of free bus passes for students across the state. This initiative is expected to benefit lakhs of students, especially those from rural and economically weaker sections.
Implementation Details
The free bus passes will be valid for travel on all state-run buses, including KSRTC, BMTC, and other transport corporations. Students will need to apply through their educational institutions, and the passes will be issued within a month. The government has allocated a budget of Rs 500 crore for this scheme in the current fiscal year.
Other Announcements
During the meeting, the cabinet also approved a hike in the honorarium for anganwadi workers and helpers. Additionally, a committee was formed to review the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the state. The government also decided to fill 10,000 vacant teaching positions in government schools within six months.
Chief Minister Shivakumar emphasized that his government's priority is education and welfare. He stated, "Our aim is to ensure that no student is deprived of education due to financial constraints. This free bus pass scheme is a step towards that goal."
Reactions from Opposition
The opposition parties have welcomed the announcement but questioned the government's ability to implement it effectively. BJP state president noted that similar promises were made in the past but not fulfilled. The Congress government has assured that the scheme will be rolled out smoothly.
The cabinet meeting also discussed the drought situation in several districts and decided to release additional funds for relief measures. The government will provide compensation to farmers affected by crop loss due to unseasonal rains.
With these decisions, the Shivakumar-led government has made a strong start, focusing on education and rural welfare. The free bus pass scheme is expected to be a game-changer for students, making access to education easier and more affordable.
