The YCP government is working feverishly to implement free RTC bus travel at the start of the New Year. Though TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu stated that it would be implemented as part of their Mahasakthi guarantee if their government is elected, YCP chief and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy appears to be eager to hijack the scheme and claim credit for it.
Following the overwhelming public support for the scheme in neighboring Telangana and Karnataka states, Jagan reportedly directed officials to investigate the complexities of the scheme’s implementation.
According to reports, Jagan intends to implement the scheme after Sankranti next year. The CM directed CMO and GAD officials to prepare a detailed report on the scheme’s implementation.
It is worth noting that Chandrababu Naidu announced the scheme at Mahanadu in Rajahmundry in May, as well as at the recently held ‘Yuvagalam-Navasakam’ public meeting in Polepalli, Vizianagaram district.
Given how the Congress came to power in neighboring states promising women-centric schemes, there is speculation that the YCP government may extend the scheme to Palle Velugu, Express, and city bus services in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada as well.
Officials are attempting to comprehend the scheme’s impact on RTC revenue and the funds that must be borne by the state government.
According to official figures, an average of 40 lakh people ride APSRTC buses each day, with 15 lakh of them being women. Similarly, there are 10 lakh people who use bus passes. 3-4 lakh of them are students and women.
With the current number of passengers, the RTC earns Rs 17 crore, and if women are given free travel, the income could drop by Rs 6 crore.
It remains to be seen what the CM will do in order to take credit for the scheme.
Ratnavali