‘If men are given free travel, money will eventually return to govt’; CM responds to protests

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V D Satheesan responded to the criticism and protests raised by the men's association against KSRTC's Priyadarshini free travel scheme for women. Speaking while inaugurating the scheme at the KSRTC Complex in Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, he said the protests by the men's association were quite amusing.

‘The protest of the men's association is interesting. They are travelling in other buses. I am not anti-men. When money remains in the hands of women, it directly reaches their households. In the case of men, only some may take it home. Where does the rest go? It takes different routes and eventually returns to the government as taxes,’ the chief minister said humorously.

Meantime, he said private transport operators need not worry, as private services are now part of the public transport system. The government is prepared to extend all necessary support to help them move forward. Improving public transport would reduce the use of private vehicles and ease traffic congestion on roads. The government is also considering a system that involves greater cooperation from the private sector, added the chief minister.

The chief minister stated that the scheme would provide significant relief to thousands of women who travel long distances for work. He expressed hope that the money women had been spending on tickets so far would become savings for them. He further clarified that the UDF government's policy is to move forward by including and supporting all sections of society.