Lucknow, Aug 26 (IANS) Welcoming the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet’s approval of lifelong free bus travel for women aged 60 years and above, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Wednesday thanked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and said the initiative would make elderly women more independent.
Speaking to IANS, BJP MP Brij Lal said, “I would like to thank CM Yogi Adityanath ji very much. Under this scheme, our mothers and sisters can travel for three days during Raksha Bandhan along with one companion and celebrate the festival by tying Rakhi to their brothers. At the same time, women above the age of 60 years have been provided lifelong free travel on state transport buses. Now, they can travel anywhere across the state—to visit their relatives, undertake pilgrimages, or go wherever they wish. They will no longer need to depend on anyone. This is a very big gift.”
Uttar Pradesh Minister Dayashankar Singh also expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister Adityanath for the initiative.
“I express my gratitude to CM Yogi Adityanath ji for this. On Raksha Bandhan, our mothers and sisters were given free travel for three days along with one accompanying passenger. But this time, he has given such a gift that our mothers and sisters can travel anywhere for their entire lifetime,” he said.
Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharakwal described the initiative as a significant gift for women.
“This is a very good gift that we have received as sisters. By the age of 60, we complete all our family responsibilities. After that, when we are free, the Chief Minister (Yogi Adityanath) has given us the opportunity to undertake pilgrimages and travel. On behalf of all daughters, sisters and mothers, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Maharaj ji,” she said.
However, Samajwadi Party MLA Naseem Solanki criticised the Uttar Pradesh government’s claims, saying, “All these policies had already been introduced by our leaders, and they are simply following them. As for how much respect and dignity women are given by the present government, everyone has seen it.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off special buses in Lucknow under a new initiative offering lifelong free bus travel to women aged 60 years and above. The scheme has been named after the 18th-century ruler Ahilyabai Holkar in recognition of her contribution to women’s empowerment, good governance and cultural preservation.
The Chief Minister also distributed smart travel cards to elderly women during the launch of the ‘Lokmata Ahilyabai Matrushakti Yatra Yojana’. Under the initiative, women aged 60 years and above and those who are residents of Uttar Pradesh, will be entitled to free travel on buses for life.
Speaking at the launch programme, CM Yogi Adityanath said the initiative had been named ‘Lokmata Ahilyabai Nishulk Bus Yatra’ as a tribute to Ahilyabai Holkar and her role in promoting women’s empowerment and self-reliance.
“Just before Raksha Bandhan, a bus service being operated in the name of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar will provide free bus travel to every daughter, every sister and every mother on August 27, 28 and 29. This facility will also be available to one accompanying passenger,” he added.
“After this, we are also going to provide free travel to all mothers and sisters above the age of 60,” the Chief Minister added.
CM Yogi Adityanath said that after August 29, any woman above the age of 60 years and residing in Uttar Pradesh, would be able to avail herself of the facility by showing her voter ID card or Aadhaar card.
No fare will be charged from eligible women, he added.
–IANS
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