Shivakumar Cabinet Approves Free Bus Passes for All Students Across Karnataka
Bengaluru, June 3: The D.K. Shivakumar-led Karnataka Cabinet has approved free bus passes for all students across the state, marking one of the first major decisions taken by the new government after assuming office.
Addressing the media after chairing his first Cabinet meeting as Chief Minister, Shivakumar said the decision was taken after receiving repeated representations from students during his visits across Karnataka.
According to the Chief Minister, many students, particularly male students, had expressed concerns over existing free travel benefits being available only to women and had sought similar support for the student community.
Responding to these demands, the Cabinet has decided to introduce a new free bus pass scheme for all eligible students. Shivakumar said the scheme would be launched under a new name, which will be officially announced during the inauguration.
Under the initiative, students studying in SSLC, PUC, undergraduate, postgraduate and other recognized educational institutions will be eligible to receive free bus passes.
The Chief Minister clarified that students will be required to submit applications and provide valid identification documents to establish their student status before availing the benefit.
“We need proper identification to ensure that the benefit reaches genuine students. The Transport Department will coordinate the implementation process and finalize the mechanism for issuing the passes,” Shivakumar said.
He described the move as an important welfare measure aimed at reducing transportation expenses for students and their families while improving access to education across the state.
The Karnataka Transport Department has been directed to work out the operational framework and implementation guidelines for the scheme in consultation with educational institutions.
The announcement is being seen as one of the flagship decisions of the Shivakumar Cabinet, with the government positioning the initiative as a major student-centric welfare measure aimed at supporting education and mobility across Karnataka.
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