Now, free bus passes for SC/ST students

There’s a good news for lakhs of students belonging Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes categories. Henceforth they can travel from their house to school/colleges in buses operated by government-run corporations free of cost. Chairing the meeting of the Karnataka Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan and Scheduled Tribe Sub-Plan of the Social Welfare Department, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed authorities of the Transport Department to provide bus passes free of cost to SC/ST students studying in schools, colleges, and universities. Till now, the State-run corporations used to charge 25 per cent of the pass fee to the SC/ST students and rest of the amount was reimbursed by the government (50%) and SC/ST Development Corporation (25%). Providing free bus passes would cost the state exchequer additional ₹ 104 crore per year. Mr. Siddaramaiah has directed all department heads to utilise the allocated amount before March 31, 2018. He warned that notices would be isused to department heads who show laxity in the implementation of schemes meant for the welfare of the SC and ST. Social Welfare Minister H. Anjaneya, Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra and Chief Secretary Subhash Kuntia participated in the meting.