Free Bus Rides for Women in Andhra Pradesh from August 15: Cabinet Nod

Fast Summary

• Andhra pradesh Cabinet approved several welfare schemes ahead of National Handloom Day, benefiting women, weavers, and small business owners.
• Key initiatives:

– Stree Shakti Free Bus Travel Scheme: Launching on August 15; allows over 2.6 crore women, girl students, and transgender individuals to travel for free on APSRTC buses, excluding inter-State and chartered tours. Annual cost: ₹1,942 crore.
– covers 74% of the APSRTC fleet (~6,700 buses), benefiting nearly 27 lakh daily commuters.
– State plans to procure a total of 4,400 electric buses over the next two years for implementation.
– Safety upgrades include body cams for female conductors and CCTV cameras on buses/stations.
– Weaving sector relief measures worth ₹648.59 crore:
– Free electricity (200 units/manual looms; 500 units/power looms),GST reimbursement at 5%,revival of Thrift Fund Scheme with government-matched savings contributions (8%),and allocation clearing pending dues from earlier years worth ₹17.17 crore.
– Budget allocated: ₹5 crore for FY2025-26.
– Barber/salon-related initiative providing free electricity to hair-cutting establishments with an annual cost burden of approximately ₹100 crore.

• Additional decisions:

– Adoption of a Social Media Policy by the State Cabinet.
– Extension of Public Security Act banning CPI (Maoist) until August 2026.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Andhra Pradesh government’s recent slew of welfare measures represents a strategic push targeting diverse sections-women commuters,weavers in traditional sectors like handloom weaving-and small business owners such as barbers. By facilitating these benefits under programs like Stree Shakti or energy subsidies across industries typically reliant on local communities’ engagement infrastructure effort drives promising inclusivity & sustainability-focused governance The long-term execution operational scaling quality outcomes productivity whether weak nod tougher General-election scaffolding neutral backdrop having tightercoordination