Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has defended the recent bus fare increase, saying the state’s transport corporations are facing heavier financial pressure because women are being allowed free travel under the Shakti scheme. Opposition parties have called for statewide protests against the hike.
Responding to questions about the protests, Shivakumar said fares had been increased by ₹2 or ₹3 for each stage of a bus journey. The report did not specify the revised fare structure, the date on which the new fares took effect or whether the increase applies uniformly across all state-run transport services.
The chief minister said the Shakti scheme had placed a significant additional financial burden on the transport corporations. Under the scheme, women receive free travel on eligible state-run buses. Shivakumar argued that the transport agencies also need an opportunity to recover financially and remain operational.
He also said the government had recently reached a point where it had to provide funds for diesel purchases because the transport corporations did not have enough money to buy fuel for three weeks. The statement underlined the immediate cash-flow pressures facing the agencies, although no financial figures were provided in the report.
Shivakumar linked the transport corporations’ difficulties to broader increases in the cost of fuel and other goods. He questioned why opposition parties had not protested when petrol, diesel, cooking gas, fertilisers, pesticides, iron, cement and medicines became more expensive.
The chief minister also referred to the financial difficulties faced by farmers because of drought and said he was aware of the strain on their livelihoods. At the same time, he maintained that the state’s transport corporations must also remain financially viable.
Shivakumar challenged opposition parties to appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce the cess and tax burden imposed on petrol and diesel. His remarks place the bus fare dispute within a wider argument over fuel taxation, operating costs and the funding of subsidised public transport.
The protests announced by opposition parties are expected to focus on the fare increase and its effect on passengers. The supplied report does not provide details about the planned protest locations, the number of participating organisations or any response from the transport corporations on the next steps.
