Flagging off a bus with majority of women passengers at local Bus Stand, the MLA from Chabbewal Dr. Raj Kumar on Thursday said that the free bus travel scheme launched by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh was another landmark initiative of Punjab Government to further give a major boost to women empowerment.After participating the virtual launching of scheme at District Administrative Complex here, Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Apneet Riyait and ADC (G) Amit Kumar Panchal went to Bhagwan Valmiki Interstate Bus Terminal to flag of the bus to Jalandhar. He also met the women passengers sitting inside the bus and interacted with them, who thanked Punjab Government for this pro-women endeavour, which was much needed in present time.The MLA said that Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh led state government had already taken a slew of initiatives towards women empowerment in last four years including 50 percent reservation for women in panchayats and local bodies elections besides 33 percent reservations in government jobs.
He further added that this free bus service facility would benefit about 1.50 Crore women population across the state with facilitating nearly 2.50 lakh daily women travellers in government buses in the state. The State Government has accorded foremost priority to safety and security of women buses, said the MLA adding that the buses were being equipped with features like GPS and Panic Button, which would be immensely helpful for women in any kind of crisis.Chabbewal said that with the introduction of this free bus travel scheme in Government, the girl students need not to get bus passes as they will be able to travel free of cost in all government-run buses. He added that as many as seven hostels for working women are coming up at an outlay of Rs. 50 crore to provide safe and affordable accommodation facilities to women in Punjab.Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Apneet Riyait said that the free bus travelling facility would prove to be a boon for women in the state as it would benefit a large number of women travelling in the buses daily. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included GM Punjab Roadways Hoshiarpur Ranjit Singh Bagga and Social Security Officer Mukesh Gautam.