Key Points
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that there is no proposal before the government to revisit the 'Shakti' scheme, which provides free bus travel for all women domiciled in the state..
The clarification came amid criticism over Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar indicating about revisiting the scheme.o)..
Facing backlash over his statement, Shivakumar on Thursday ruled out withdrawing or revisiting any of the five guarantee schemes including Shakti, and accused media and opposition parties of distorting his statement..
Affirming that there is no question of withdrawing or revisiting any of the five schemes, the Deputy CM said, If someone says they don't want free bus service, can I force you.... like in the gas issue (LPG) Prime Minister had given an option to voluntarily surrender (subsidy), I said we will think on similar lines..
Home Minister G Parameshwara, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and a few other Ministers too said there was no proposal before the government to review Shakti or any other guarantee schemes and no such discussions have taken place at the government level..
