AP govt’s Sankranti gift: Free bus travel for women?

In its ongoing commitment to fulfilling electoral promises, the YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh is set to announce a significant initiative as part of its strategy for the upcoming 2024 elections.
Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy is expected to unveil a ‘Free Bus Travel for Women’ scheme across the State, along with a reduced-price LPG cylinder, as a Sankranti gift in the approaching new year.
Analysts predict that these initiatives, aimed at benefiting the people of Andhra Pradesh, are strategically positioned to enhance Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s prospects for a second term.
Opposition parties are not far behind in their pursuit of voter support for the 2024 elections. They have already unveiled various schemes, including Free Bus Travel for Women and a subsidized LPG cylinder priced at Rs 500, in their manifestos to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters.
Drawing inspiration from successful schemes implemented in Karnataka and Telangana by the Congress, the Opposition alliance (TDP-JSP-BJP) is actively promoting these initiatives to engage voters.
Sources indicate that the YSRCP government plans to announce Free Bus Travel for Women during the Sankranti festival. Despite the potential financial burden, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy is anticipated to move forward with the implementation to counter the opposition’s electoral strategies.
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) records approximately 40 lakh bus travellers daily, with 15 lakh being women and 10 lakh possessing passes. About 3 to 4 lakh travellers contribute around Rs 6 crore per day. Implementing the Free Bus Travel for Women scheme would require a daily expenditure of Rs 6 crore, totalling Rs 180 crore per month. Given the integration of APSRTC into the State government, an additional investment of Rs 180 crore is under consideration for the proposed initiative. Talks with key RTC officials are reportedly underway to finalise the implementation details.
Compared to Karnataka and Telangana, the financial burden on the Andhra Pradesh government is expected to be relatively less, as these states have a higher proportion of working women, including skilled professionals.
Senior union leaders from RTC are actively engaged in discussions with top officials to expedite the implementation of the Free Bus Travel for Women scheme, aiming for a launch either on January 1 as a New Year’s gift or during Sankranti as a festive gesture.