Telangana government launches free bus travel scheme for women, transgenders

The Telangana government has fulfilled its promise of free travel for women and transgenders in state-owned State Transport Corporation buses. The state government had issued an order regarding this on Friday. This initiative is part of six 'guarantees' given by the Congress during the recently concluded assembly elections.

The Government Order said, "The Government of Telangana has launched the '6 Guarantees - Maha Lakshmi' scheme under which girls and women of all age groups and transgender persons resident of Telangana can travel free of cost in buses operated by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation.

It said that they can travel anywhere within the Telangana state limits in rural service and express buses from December 9 afternoon.

The order states that the state government will pay the fare for women passengers to the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC). The Congress government, in its first cabinet meeting on Thursday, had decided to launch free travel for women and 'Rajiv Aarogyasri' health scheme on December 9, the birthday of top Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. Insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh will be provided under 'Rajeev Aarogyasri'.

A day after assuming the post of Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy held 'Praja Darbar' at his camp office-cum-official residence on Friday and heard the grievances of the common people and promised to resolve them at the earliest. People were present in large numbers at Jyotirao Phule Praja Bhawan for 'Praja Darbar'.

An official statement said the Chief Minister gave priority to receiving representations from persons with disabilities and inquired about their problems. The Chief Minister said that immediate measures would be taken to resolve the complaints of the people. The statement said that the Chief Minister later left for the Secretariat to attend a meeting