Karnataka State plans to provide free licence to women to drive lorries, buses
In a gesture to encourage women drivers to take up driving lorries and buses, the Transport Department is planning to start a free training and issue licence to the eligible, said Transport Minister HM Revanna, reports Kannada Prabha.
Speaking at a phone-in-programme on Suvarna News, minister Revanna responded to calls from public regarding transport grievances. One Raju from Channapatna sought to know when the transport department is appointing driver-cum-conductors of late, why there has been a decline on women taking up driving large vehicles. He demanded that appointments be made separately for drivers and conductors.
Responding to that the Minister said he had traveled in several countries and found that women bus drivers scored more than their male counterparts. Hence, to encourage women drivers to take up driving commercial vehicles, the department is planning to conduct a free training and licensing.
A social activist from Udupi brought to the notice of the Minister the problems faced by differently-abled to get driving licence. RTO officials do not approve licence without owning a vehicles, which is a big hurdle for differently-abled. They are unable to get the vehicles provided by the government due to this clause. Hence the rules need to be changed, he said. Responding to this, the minister said he would discuss with the officials concerned and modify the rules.
One Sushma Srinivas from Chikkaballapura complained that the KSRTC bus stand inaugurated on Sept 28 by the Chief Minister is not yet open for the public and the schools and colleges students have to get in and get down from buses on the roads which is dangerous. Responding to this, the Minister asked his officials to look into it. He also said that he would personally visit the spot to assess the situation.
Responding to a complaint posed on the social media that on Devanahalli highway the toll gates are looting travellers by charging Rs 120 to Rs 130 per vehicle a toll fee, the minister said it has come to his notice also. He promised to bring the issue to the notice of the PWD. The minister also informed that applications will be called for filling up 2,600 posts of drivers and conductors.
