metro india news  I hyderabad

State Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar today announced 2.5 per cent DA to RTC workers. An additional burden of Rs 3.6 crore will borne by the RTC every month with the announcement of DA.

The idea that came from Ponnam Prabhakar's mind will come into effect from Women's Day today. Indira Mahila Shakti buses will also be launched  as a 'Telangana Pragati ' for the development of girl children with an aim to make one crore women crorepatis. 150 buses to be inducted into RTC on hire basis in the first phase through Mandal Mahila Samyukta Sanghams.  In the next phase 450 buses total 600 buses contracted on rent basis by women's associations,” he said.

The minister said so far, 150 crore women had travelled free of cost after the launch of the Mahalaxmi scheme and added  that women had travelled free of cost for travel worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore. “After the launch of the Maha Lakshmi scheme, the number of women commuters is almost 14 lakh women.  Minister Ponnam Prabhakar appreciated that those who have increased the work pressure on the employees due to this are constantly working hard.

He said State government was taking steps towards women empowerment and added that the demand for RTC buses has increased due to the increase in the women passengers. He said on the occasion of Women's Day, a total of 600 buses will be leased to RTC through Indira Mahila Shakti through women's solidarity organizations, while in the first phase, 150 buses will be formally launched by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Seethakka.

In the first phase of Indira Mahila Shakti buses, one bus for each mandal in 150 mandals will be launched through one mandal women's solidarity organization. “Under This pilot project, we have selected the old joint districts of Warangal, Khammam, Karimnagar and Mahabubnagar as a pilot project and women's organizations have been involved. The demand for buses will be relieved through Indira Mahila RTC buses purchased through mandal women's solidarity organizations,” he said