Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has launched a free travel facility for women in government-run buses within the state and said this fulfills another promise made by his party in its poll manifesto. Though the promise was to reduce bus ticket prices for women by 50 percent, the government made it totally free.
The scheme is applicable only for the government-run buses while the private ones that run on maximum routes have been kept out of their ambit.
The Punjab Government claims that with this promise fulfilled, a record of 85 percent of promises made has been implemented by his government.
He said the state government is now moving towards realizing 100 percent of its commitments made before the 2017 Assembly elections.
While everyone only talks about women empowerment, the Punjab government has taken several concrete measures to achieve it, the chief minister claimed.
Women can avail of this scheme in government-owned buses, including Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC), Punjab Roadways Buses (PUNBUS), and city bus services operated by the Local Bodies Department.
However, it is not applicable to the government-owned AC, Volvo, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) buses.
Expressing concerns over the crime against women, the chief minister said his government is committed to their safety and the Transport Department is installing the GPS in all government and private buses to enable easy tracking of the vehicles, in addition to panic buttons for emergencies.
He said around 33,000 women will get jobs in the state this year and added that a large number of girl students have been provided with smartphones to help them study during the pandemic.
