The AP state government has appointed a cabinet sub-committee regarding free bus travel to women. The sub-committee has been appointed under the leadership of Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy. Home Minister Anitha and Tribal Affairs and Women and Child Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhyarani will be members. The principal secretary of the transport department will be the convener of this sub-committee.
The cabinet sub-committee will study the implementation of free bus travel in several states and submit a report to the government as soon as possible. It is known that Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has promised to provide free travel facilities to women in RTC buses as part of the Super Six schemes.
Minister Ramprasad Reddy previously said that the free journey will be implemented from next Sankranti, and the RTC is making arrangements for this. However, it is now being said that it will be implemented before the end of this financial year.
Despite some delay in the issue of free bus travel for women, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu recently instructed officials to implement a comprehensive policy. Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy clarified that efforts are being made to start the free bus scheme for women within the financial year itself.
With this, the officials have prepared a comprehensive report. The committee of officials stated in the report that an additional 2,000 buses and 3,500 drivers are needed to implement free bus travel for women. It was estimated that the government has to pay RTC Rs 250 to 260 crore every month.
TDP leaders have been saying for many days that the government is getting ready to start free bus travel services for women. Women and young women are eagerly waiting to see when the announcement will be made on this. Free bus travel to women is one of the five key promises, which were signed by Chandrababu Naidu while taking charge as Chief Minister for the fourth time.