The Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government launched the Shakti Scheme — free travel for women in state buses — on 11 June.
A screengrab from the video of KGF MLA Roopakala Shashidhar driving the KSRTC bus during the launch of Shakti Scheme at Robertsonpet on Sunday.
Congress MLA Roopakala Shashidhar is under fire for driving a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus during the inaugural ceremony of the Shakti scheme at Kolar Gold Fields town (popularly called KGF town) on Monday, 11 June.
Despite not having a licence to drive a heavy vehicle, Roopakala drove the passenger-filled bus at the Kuvempunagar bus stand in the Robertsonpet area of KGF town.
The Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government launched the Shakti scheme on Sunday.
It marked the implementation of the first of five poll guarantees the Congress had made in the run-up to the Karnataka Assembly elections.
Under this scheme, women can travel free in the state buses within Karnataka.
Siddaramaiah also directed all the party MLAs to inaugurate the Shakti scheme at their respective Assembly seats.
Interestingly, there were allegations that Roopakala crashed into several vehicles while driving the KSRTC bus during the inaugural ceremony in KGF town.
However, KSRTC Kolar Division officials stated that no accident was reported during the inaugural ceremony.
After a video of Congress MLA Roopakala driving the KSRTC bus went viral on social media, the KSRTC’s Kolar Division ordered an enquiry into the MLA being allowed to drive the bus during the inauguration.
As per norms, KSRTC bus drivers are not permitted to allow anyone, including elected members, to drive their vehicle — irrespective of the occasion.
KSRTC Kolar Division Controller Basavaraj V told South First, “False news is being circulated that MLA Roopakala crashed into several vehicles while driving the bus at the Robertsonpet bus stand. There was no untoward incident at the inaugural ceremony.”
He added, “She mistakenly shifted into reverse gear, but the driver took control of the vehicle immediately. The driver guided the MLA while she was driving the vehicle.”
He also said: “She sat on the driver’s seat only to take photos. However, after a few local media personnel urged her to drive the bus, she acquiesced.”
He reiterated, “As per the norms, the on-duty drivers are not allowed to hand over the vehicle to anyone. I have ordered an inquiry into the driver. He has also been summoned. After the enquiry, action will be initiated against the driver.”
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