Now Reading: UP cabinet approves lifetime free bus travel for women over 60
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UP cabinet approves lifetime free bus travel for women over 60
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved the Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrishakti Scheme, granting lifetime free bus travel on state roadways to women aged 60 and above. Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh said the scheme,…
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved the Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrishakti Scheme, granting lifetime free bus travel on state roadways to women aged 60 and above. Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh said the scheme, a BJP promise from the 2022 assembly elections, will benefit an estimated 8.1 lakh women based on 2011 Census data. Beneficiaries must show Aadhaar or voter ID cards to verify age.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will launch the scheme on Wednesday. Separately, the government will also allow all women to travel free on UPSRTC buses with one companion from the night of August 27 to midnight on August 29 for Raksha Bandhan. Adityanath directed anti-Romeo squads to remain active and ordered verification of bus, auto-rickshaw, and taxi drivers. The cabinet also approved the purchase of 250 electric buses at a cost of Rs 425 crore.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both outlets report the same two UP government announcements: free Raksha Bandhan bus travel for women and a new lifetime free travel scheme for women over 60. Hindustan Times leads with the chief minister’s review of waterlogging and flood relief, framing the free travel as one item in a broader governance meeting. ABP Live leads with the pension-age scheme's cost, beneficiary count, and election promise fulfilment, foregrounding the political delivery. Neither outlet criticises the government, both accept official figures without scrutiny. The combined coverage suggests the government is packaging a one-off festival gesture with a long-term welfare scheme to maximise pre-festival optics. The cabinet's formal launch on Wednesday will clarify take-up and implementation details.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): hindustantimes.com (neutral report), news.abplive.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
