
Free bus facility for students in govt schools
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar shared the news via a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, highlighting the government's commitment to ensuring a bright future for children studying in public schools. 'The government is committed to the bright future of government school students. As part of strengthening Karnataka Public Schools, we are launching free bus services for students studying from LKG to PUC,' said DCM Shivakumar. This student transportation scheme adds to the list of progressive welfare programs initiated by the state, such as the Shakti Scheme, which currently provides free bus services to women across Karnataka.
With this move, the Karnataka Government has once again underlined its commitment to inclusive, accessible, and quality education for all—especially for underprivileged children.
Beneficiaries: Studentsfrom LKG to PUC enrolled in Karnataka Public Schools, Children from economically weaker sections, especially in rural and remote areas, It improves attendance and learning outcomes in government schools. It is a major support system for families struggling with transportation costs and strengthens the government's mission to empower and revamp public education.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Karnataka floats Rs 17,698-crore global tender for twin-tube tunnel road project in Bengaluru
Despite extensive criticism from several corners, Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE) has invited international competitive bids for the construction of a three-lane underground twin tunnel road from Hebbal Esteem Mall Junction to Silk Board KSRP Junction, aiming to transform urban mobility along the city's busy north-south corridor. The massive infrastructure initiative, with an estimated cost of Rs 17,698 crore (excluding GST), will be implemented under the modified build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) model and includes operation and maintenance responsibilities. The project is split into two packages—Hebbal to Seshadri Road and Seshadri Road to Silk Board—with estimated costs of Rs 8,770 crore and Rs 8,928 crore, respectively. The proposed tunnel, spanning nearly 17 km, includes multiple entry and exit ramps and is expected to significantly ease congestion across central Bengaluru and reduce the time travel from 90 minutes to 45 minutes. The total concession period has been set at 34 years, including a 50-month construction timeline for each package. Tender documents will be made available on the Karnataka Public Procurement Portal starting July 15. The pre-bid meeting will be held on August 4, and the deadline for submission of tenders is September 2. B-SMILE has invited participation from contractors registered with agencies such as BBMP, CPWD, KPWD, Railways, MES, and other state or national bodies. The proposed tunnel road, if executed as planned, will be one of the most expensive and ambitious infrastructure undertakings in Bengaluru's history. Touted as a 'pet project' of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, the initiative has come under severe criticism from Opposition BJP leaders, civic groups, mobility experts, and environmentalists. The government has floated global tenders even after the BBMP was called out for shoddy work of the detailed project report (DPR) prepared by Rodic Consultants at a cost of Rs 9 crore. The report was criticised for glaring errors including its references of traffic analysis to cities like Nashik and Malegaon in Maharashtra and downplaying environmental impact. The DPR also proposes a toll of Rs 330 (one-way) for a distance of 16.6 km. The report also highlights tolls for subsequent years are calculated on the basis of a 5 per cent annual increase in wholesale price index with a 40 per cent restriction. The base year for the toll revenue is FY 2030-31. Importantly, the toll estimates have been proposed only for cars, with no mention of other vehicles. Shivakumar had earlier said that without a toll, the tunnel road project cannot go ahead. Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya came down heavily on Shivakumar on Monday, criticising the proposed tunnel road project as an unscientific and elitist initiative that sidelines the needs of the common man. He also warned of legal action if the government goes ahead with the project, which he said would violate Bengaluru's Comprehensive Mobility Plan and sustainable transportation goals. The BJP MP also flagged the background of the consultants involved. He pointed out that one of the firms behind the feasibility study—part of a joint venture between Lion Consultants and Altinok—has been blacklisted in Madhya Pradesh over a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) project, he said. Meanwhile, Rodic Consultants, which prepared the DPR, were reportedly linked to a Rs 500-crore scam in Jammu & Kashmir. Surya further alleged that the project was moving ahead without mandatory clearance from the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority, violating section 19 of the BMLTA Act.


Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
Greater Bengaluru Authority to have 5 smaller corporations: Karnataka Dy CM Shivakumar
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar said Tuesday that the new Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) would have five city corporations under it. This comes ahead of a Cabinet meeting on Thursday where the subject is likely to be discussed, before the new corporations are notified by the government. 'We have formed the GBA. After this, we will definitely form five corporations,' he said in Bengaluru, speaking at a convention of implementation committees for the Congress government's various guarantee schemes. Shivakumar said elections would be held soon for the new bodies. There has been some opposition to dividing the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into smaller bodies, but the split is essential to improve administration in the city, he added. This announcement comes a week after a final report on earmarking the GBA area and splitting it into smaller corporations was submitted to the government. Last week, Shivakumar said the GBA would have the same territorial jurisdiction as the BBMP, which governs an area of around 700 sq km in Bengaluru Urban district. The government has decided to include new areas under GBA in the future. The report submitted to the government discussed the pros and cons of splitting BBMP into three, four or five corporations. The GBA Act passed in the budget session of legislature in March this year provided for the formation of up to seven smaller corporations to improve governance in Bengaluru city. Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad, who headed a joint legislature committee on the GBA Act, had said that each of the smaller corporations was likely to have 80 to 100 corporators.


Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
Pink tickets mark Shakti's 500cr ridership, CM plays conductor
Chief minister Siddaramaiah took on the role of a city bus conductor Monday, issuing pink tickets to mark the popular Shakti scheme crossing the 500-crore ridership milestone. He was joined by his deputy DK Shivakumar, transport minister Ramalinga Reddy , other cabinet colleagues and chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh on the occasion. As part of the event, the chief minister felicitated a woman passenger, Latha P, a resident of Chamarajpet who works in a bag factory, and gifted Ilkal sarees to nearly 30 commuters, including elderly citizens and students. Members of Odala Dhwani, a self-help group that has benefited from the scheme, presented their products to the ministers in gratitude. The group, which brings homemade items like roti and holige from Vijayapura to sell in Bengaluru, credited the scheme with helping them expand their operations. The chief minister explained how his administration implemented the scheme, while Shivakumar reiterated that all five guarantees of the state govt would continue despite criticism from opposition parties. "Women who commute daily to their workplaces by bus can save up to Rs 1,000 per month through this free travel facility," Shivakumar pointed out. To provide free bus travel for women on ordinary and express services, the four road transport corporations have spent Rs 12,699 crore. The RTCs claim their daily ridership has increased from over 85.8 lakh to nearly 1.8 crore since the scheme's introduction. To meet the growing demand, the number of buses in operation has been increased from 23,948 to 26,130 over the past two years. However, while implementing the scheme, RTCs have faced criticism of overcrowding and bus shortages. Reddy said the govt has approved the induction of 5,800 buses, of which 5,049 have already been added to the fleets of the four RTCs. To address staff shortages, 6,700 appointments have been made, and an additional 1,000 people were recruited on compassionate grounds.