Taking swift and decisive action immediately after assuming office, Newly-sworn-in Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday announced that bus passes will be provided free of cost to "all school and college students" across the state. During his maiden cabinet , Shivakumar said that many questioned why the free transport was limited to girls, which is why this expansion was announced. He said that students would have to apply for this pass after it is rolled out. "This is the youth era. Students were asking why there is a free bus just for girls. We are giving passes to all students - a free bus pass without any charge. A bus pass is free for all school and college students. This is the first decision by the DK Shivakumar cabinet. Students have to apply for this, will discuss this with the Transport Department," he said.
The Chief Minister said the government would work out the implementation mechanism in consultation with the Transport Department and that eligible students would be required to apply for the passes once the scheme is formally rolled out. Emphasising his commitment to the people of Karnataka, Shivakumar said the government would focus on initiatives aimed at empowering youth and creating opportunities.
"We have taken some decisions from the perspective of the youth. The people of this state have placed immense trust in me. They may have criticised me in the past. They may have praised me. I have a background in political experience. I have seen hardships. I have seen happiness. I have seen power at a young age. I have placed my trust in them." Along with this, Shivakumar urged people to register with the government to find jobs, stating that they will communicate with companies and make arrangements for the jobs. "Unemployed people looking for jobs should register with the government. We will talk to companies and make arrangements to provide them with the jobs they need," he said.
New Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who honed his trouble shooting expertise for years in the Congress, has turned it to governance. This was evident as hours after his oath, Shivakumar announced a clutch of measures that is expected to please Bengaluru and the young people of the state. A whopping Rs 2,000 crore will be diverted to improve the roads of the country's IT capital, which by now, is as much known for its potholes and traffic jams as its tech powerhouses. There's more. The city facing a massive crisis with its unauthorised real estate, will soon see a plan to regularise buildings that violate the sanctioned plans. In line with a Supreme Court order, civic bodies have mandated that properties exceeding approved height or other parameters will have their water and electricity connections terminated.
"Houses have been constructed in Bengaluru without proper planning. There are court orders restricting the provision of electricity and water connections to such properties," Shivakumar pointed out today. "A decision has been taken to issue CC/OC (Completion Certificate/Occupancy Certificate) for 30 to 40 sites. It has also been decided to provide a One-Time Settlement scheme for properties up to 2,500 square feet," he added. Those who have "already applied, will be given an opportunity to avail themselves of this benefit," he added. The other big announcement involved jobs for young people. His government, Shivakumar said, will try and open up 50,000 posts in the state.