Karnataka government's Shakti scheme, which provides free bus travel for women all over the state, is going to undergo a radical transformation. In order to avoid misuse of the scheme and ensure that the scheme is only accessible to women residents of Karnataka, the Transport Department is preparing smart cards for the beneficiaries.
The Shakti Scheme is one of the most popular welfare schemes in the state since its introduction. Women and transgender people can travel free of charge on buses operated by four transport companies of the state - KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC. Although the scheme has brought millions of people on board, authorities have also received calls about the misuse of fake Aadhaar cards and unauthorised travel by people from other states.
The misuse of the scheme has reportedly caused huge financial losses to state transport corporations, officials said. To address this permanently, the government is moving to distribute advanced smart cards that will serve as proof of eligibility for free travel under the scheme.
One of the key aspects of the proposed system is the introduction of stricter verification procedures. To get the smart card, a Karnataka voter identity card would be required. Eligible beneficiaries will need to provide a voter ID and an Aadhaar card for the same application. This is to verify residency and prevent non-residents from getting the benefits.
The smart card will contain detailed information about the beneficiary, such as their name, photograph, Aadhaar number, and residential address. It will not be transferable, the authorities have said, so there is no use for anyone other than the registered beneficiary. This will reduce fraud and improve transparency in the implementation of the scheme.
The government has set a target of issuing nearly three crore smart cards across Karnataka. The initiative is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiary identification programs undertaken by the state's transport department.
The rollout will start on a pilot basis with the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). It will be available to passengers using the other three state-run transport corporations after the Bengaluru implementation. BMTC has already procured around 11,000 advanced Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs) on a contract basis to support the new system.
The smart cards will feature near-field communication (NFC) technology to verify and book the ticket. In an important step, the cards are also expected to be integrated with the Namma Metro system in Bengaluru to allow the same card to be used for bus and metro. That would be great for commuters and also a step towards the government's vision of a centralised public transportation system.
Another major advantage of this initiative is that the smart cards will be distributed free of cost to eligible women and transgender beneficiaries. Applications can be submitted online through Bengaluru One centres, Karnataka One centres, Bapuji Seva Kendras, and authorised cyber centres. Specialised smart card distribution counters will also be set up at major bus stations in the state to simplify the process.
Many women passengers are pleased with the proposed changes and feel that more rigorous verification will ensure that the actual beneficiaries will get the benefits of the Shakti scheme. Smart cards will not only help in reducing misuse but also improve efficiency, accountability, and transparency in one of Karnataka’s most impactful welfare programs.
As preparations move forward, the government is expected to outline detailed guidelines and implementation timelines in the coming months.
