Karnataka government has announced to start Gruhini Shakti Scheme (Uchita Prayana) 2023 soon. In the new grahini shakti yojana (गृहिणी शक्ति योजना), govt. will provide free travel for women in public transport buses. The state govt. will issue free bus pass to all women and this scheme would mainly benefit women working in organised / unorganised sector and school girls. 

By the previous BJP led govt., Gruhini Shakti was envisioned as financial help scheme to women from BPL families. But in current congress govt., free bus passes will be issued under Uchita Prayana Scheme. The grihini shakti scheme announcement is one of the pre poll announcements by Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra along with Gruha Lakshmi Yojana, yuva nidhi scheme etc.
As per the new notification regarding Uchita Prayana Yojana, women are allowed free travel in government buses from 1 June 2023. 

About Karnataka Gruhini Shakti Scheme 2023

The honourable chief minister of Karnataka will soon start implementation of Gruhini Shakti Yojana 2023. CM stated "our government will provide free bus pass to around 40 lakh women including 30 lakh women working in organised sector & 8 lakh girl students". To empower women, another scheme namely Gruha Lakshmi scheme would be implemented in which Rs. 2,000 would be given to female heads of every household in Karnataka. 

Overview of Women Free Bus Travel Scheme in Karnataka 

Name of SchemeGruhini Shakti Scheme
StateKarnataka
ObjectiveFree travel for all women in government buses
Eligible benefitsAll women living in Karnataka state including girl students, working women in either organised or unorganised sector
Number of BeneficiariesAround 40 lakh women including 30 lakh working women, 8 lakh girl students 
Who announced itSmt. Priyanka Gandhi (before Karnataka state assembly elections) 
Start Date1 June 2023

Shakthi Smart Cards to be Issued (New Guidelines)

The Karnataka government on 5th June 2023 issued detailed guidelines for the implementation of the Shakthi scheme that offers free travel to women in state-run transport corporations. Under ‘Shakthi Scheme’, the transport department will issue ‘Shakthi Smart Cards’ for the beneficiaries. These smart cards will be issued in the next three months allowing women to travel free on buses. Luxury buses including Rajahamsa, non-AC sleepers, Airavat, and Ambari, are exempt from the scheme.

In buses of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, 50 per cent of the seats will be reserved for men. The reservation is not applicable to Bengaluru Metropolitan Road Transport Corporation buses.

Objective of Grahini Shakti Scheme (Uchita Prayana)

Gruhini Shakti Scheme (Uchita Prayana) was firstly announced by Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi before Karnataka assembly elections. After getting a whooping majority, congress party is focusing on fulfilling its pre poll announcements. One of the announcement was to ensure free travel for women across the state. It is expected that soon the state cabinet will approve Karnataka Shakti scheme.

Congress Party on Grihini Shakti Scheme

Before Karnataka assembly elections 2023, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra announced the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, promising ₹2,000 a month to women-led households if voted to power in the state. Addressing a "Na Nayaki" (I am a woman leader) convention for women in the city, the Congress leader said the direct benefit scheme would help 150 million housewives.

She also mentioned that Shakti scheme would be launched in which free travel for women would be ensured in state transport buses.