In a momentous occasion at the Assembly premises, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launched the Mahalakshmi scheme, a flagship initiative promising free travel for women, girls, and transgender individuals in most TSRTC buses. The jubilant atmosphere, coinciding with the swearing-in of newly elected MLAs, marked the commencement of this innovative program.
Key Highlights of the Mahalakshmi Scheme
- Free Travel for Women and Transgender Community: The Mahalakshmi scheme offers no-cost tickets for women and transgender individuals in a majority of TSRTC buses.
- Celebration on December 9: Describing December 9 as a festival day, CM Reddy expressed joy in inaugurating the Mahalakshmi scheme on the same day the UPA government initiated the process of Telangana State formation in 2009.
- Six Guarantees by Congress Party: Mahalakshmi is one of the six guarantees promised by the Congress party before the elections.
Celebratory Atmosphere at the Assembly
- Presence of Dignitaries: Pro-tem Speaker Akbaruddin Owaisi, woman ministers Konda Surekha and Danasari Anasuya Seethakka, and other Cabinet colleagues accompanied CM Reddy during the launch.
- Honoring Achievements: CM Reddy presented a ₹2 crore cheque to Nikhat Zareen, a two-time world champion in boxing, acknowledging her accomplishments in the sport.
Inaugural Bus Journey and ‘No Charge Tickets’
- Symbolic Inauguration: The CM, ministers, and top officials embarked on a bus journey from the Assembly to the Ambedkar statue on Tank Bund, symbolically launching the Mahalakshmi scheme.
- ‘No Charge Tickets’: CM Reddy issued ‘no charge tickets’ to woman passengers, signifying the initiation of free bus travel for women and transgender persons.
Additional Initiatives Announced
- Rajiv Arogyasri: CM Reddy also declared the launch of Rajiv Arogyasri, extending medical and health insurance benefits of ₹10 lakh to each beneficiary.
Festive Atmosphere at Assembly Premises
- Warm Reception for MLAs: The Assembly premises witnessed a festive atmosphere as newly elected MLAs were greeted by supporters, employees, and security personnel.
- Challenges and Felicitations: MLAs faced challenges in navigating through enthusiastic supporters seeking selfies, even as they were on a tight schedule for the CM’s program.
The launch of the Mahalakshmi scheme marks a significant step towards women’s empowerment and inclusivity in public transportation. As Telangana embraces this pioneering initiative, stay tuned for updates on the scheme’s impact and expansion.
Source : thehindu
