Priyadarshini Scheme: Kerala Announces Free Travel for Women and Transgender Persons with ₹800 Crore Annual Outlay

Key facts

• The Kerala government announced the launch of the Priyadarshini scheme to provide free travel for women and transgender persons on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) ordinary buses.
• The scheme is scheduled to be implemented starting from 15 June under the Indira Guarantee programme of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government.
• Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan stated that the free travel facility will be available to all women and transgender persons regardless of their age or income levels.
• The initiative is expected to incur an annual revenue loss of ₹800 crore, with a monthly estimated loss of ₹70 crore for the KSRTC.
• The state government will fully compensate the KSRTC for the revenue shortfall, in addition to the existing annual assistance of ₹1,500 crore provided for pensions and related expenses.