Bengal lists ID documents for women to avail free bus rides
Kolkata, May 22
The West Bengal Transport Department has issued a notification listing identity documents that women must carry to avail free rides on state-run buses, a scheme announced earlier this month by the state's new Suvendu Adhikari-led government.
The notification, issued on Thursday, states that carrying a valid ID is mandatory to ensure that women residents of the state benefit from the scheme.
The list of the identity documents specified by the state transport department includes Aadhaar, EPIC card, Grameen Rozgar Guarantee Card, Ayushman Bharat Health Card, driving license, PAN Card, passport, pension document with photograph, service identity cards with photograph issued to employees by central or state governments, public sector undertakings and public limited companies, official identity card issued by schools/colleges/universities and any other ID card issued by Government of West Bengal along with recent photograph of the beneficiary.
The woman concerned will have to show any one of the above identity documents to avail the free-ride benefit.
As per the notification, it has also been decided that one smart card (digital with QR code) with the photo and name of the beneficiary will be issued to each woman beneficiary on application, to be submitted to the BDO/SDO having jurisdiction. Till the smart card is issued, the documents from the mentioned list can be used to avail the facility.
However, for immediate rollout and till issuance of the smart card, identification of beneficiaries will be allowed based on any Photo ID card as mentioned above, issued by the competent authority of the Government.
"Issuance of 'Zero Value Ticket', Thermal Paper Ticket' by the bus conductor will be issued to women commuters upon request to the on-duty Conductor after ID verification," the state transport department notification read.
The scheme, aimed at enhancing women's empowerment and access to public transport, will come into effect from June 1, as per the notification.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally something practical! As a working woman in Kolkata, I spend over Rs 500 a month on buses. This will help saving some money for my family. Thank you Mamata Banerjee for continuing this scheme 👏
Why only women? What about men who also struggle with rising travel costs? Public transport should be free for all economically weaker sections, not just one gender. This is just vote bank politics.
I'm happy with this! But the government should ensure buses run on time and are safe for women. What's the point of free ride if buses are overcrowded and women have to face harassment? Security first!
Smart card with QR code is a good step from digitalization point of view. But the implementation needs to be seamless. Many women in rural Bengal don't have Aadhaar or other official IDs. The process should be simple for them too.
As a husband of a daily bus commuter, this is a welcome relief for household expenses. But I hope the government doesn't stop here. Free bus rides are good, but long-term women empowerment needs better education and job opportunities.
Good to see West Bengal following in Delhi's footsteps. Free
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