Y.S. Sharmila Slams AP Government Over Restrictions on Free Bus Travel for Women

Andhra Pradesh PCC President Y.S. Sharmila has strongly criticized the state government's recent clarification that the free bus travel scheme for women will be applicable only within their respective districts. She alleged that the ruling alliance misled women voters by promising free travel but later imposing conditions.

"The government is acting like a boatman who promises a ride across the river but abandons passengers midway," Sharmila remarked. She accused the government of using the promise of free travel as an electoral gimmick, only to backtrack now by introducing restrictions.

"It is deceitful to restrict the free bus travel scheme to district boundaries. This only proves the government's lack of sincerity in implementing the scheme. They have spent nine months stalling by forming committees instead of fulfilling their promise. While they toured different states, they failed to ensure the proper rollout of the scheme. With so many conditions now, will they further reduce the scheme's coverage to just constituencies or mandals in the future?" she questioned.

Sharmila pointed out that Congress-led governments in Telangana and Karnataka provide free travel to women across the entire state without such restrictions. "In these states, women can travel freely in all RTC buses, including rural and express services. Showing an Aadhaar card is enough to get a zero-fare ticket, irrespective of the distance," she stated.

She further alleged that the ruling alliance lacks the willingness to implement this beneficial and cost-effective scheme. "The government hesitates to allocate ₹350 crore per month for women's travel expenses in RTC buses. Should financial considerations be a factor even in ensuring women's safety? The Congress party, on behalf of women, demands the immediate implementation of free bus travel across the entire state," she tweeted.