Mahalakshmi scheme provides ₹280 crore free bus trips for women
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Vulnerable sections (SC/ST, minorities, disabled, elderly, children)· Prelims·
Why in news
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar reported that the Mahalakshmi scheme has provided 279.97 crore free bus trips to women since its launch in December 2023.
Background
Since December 2023, it has facilitated 279.97 crore trips, with the government reimbursing ₹3,866.30 crore for 2024-25 and ₹2,913.82 crore up to February 2026.
Facts for Prelims
- FactMahalakshmi scheme: provided 279.97 crore free bus trips to women since December 2023
- FactWomen's ridership increased from 69% to 98% under the scheme
- BodyTGSRTC: Transport body involved in the scheme implementation
- FactGovernment reimbursement: ₹3,866.30 crore for 2024-25 and ₹2,913.82 crore up to February 2026
For Mains
Q. Discuss how targeted free public transport schemes can facilitate women's economic participation and social mobility in rural and urban India.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Fiscal sustainability: Balancing high-volume free transit subsidies with the need for infrastructure maintenance and fleet expansion
- Gender-centric mobility: Reducing 'last-mile' connectivity barriers to enhance female labor force participation
- Operational bottlenecks: Managing transport body liabilities like CCS arrears and provident fund during large-scale subsidy schemes
Keywords: Social mobility · Gender-centric policy · Fiscal federalism · Public transport infrastructure · Last-mile connectivity
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