Tamil Nadu government has announced to expand Vidiyal Payana Thittam Scheme on 19 Feb 2024. Through this scheme, the state govt. wants to ensure facility of free bus travel for women. Now the scope of Free Bus Travel for Woman in Tamilnadu Scheme has been extended. Read this article till the end to know Vidiyal Payana Thittam scheme complete details.
CM Vidiyal Payana Thittam in Tamil Nadu Budget 2024-25
On 19 February 2024, Finance Minister presented Tamil Nadu Budget 2024-25. While delivering the budget speech, FM said that one among the first five files signed by the
Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on his first day of
assuming office was the 'Vidiyal Payana Thittam' to
provide free bus travel to women.
FM mentioned "Various studies
indicate that this hugely popular scheme has significantly
contributed to the socio-economic empowerment of
women. Through this scheme, the percentage of women
ridership has increased substantially from 40 per cent to
65 per cent. On average, 50 lakh women travel daily in the buses run by State Transport Corporations and a total
of 444 crore trips have been made by women".
This scheme has been extended to transgenders, and
severely disabled persons and their attendants. For the
benefit of women living in hilly areas, this scheme
will be further extended to hilly areas of Nilgiris,
Kodaikanal and Valparai from the coming year.
In the Budget estimates 2024-25, an amount of
Rs. 3,050 cr. has been provided as subsidy for this
scheme.
Tamilnadu Chief Minister Vidiyal Payana Scheme 2024 Beneficiaries
Women travelers can travel without paying any fare in govt run normal-fare buses. This scheme is applicable for short distances up to 30 kilometers in cities and towns in the state. Now with the expansion of Free Bus Travel for Woman in Tamilnadu Scheme, the new beneficiary list includes the following:-
- Women including working women and girls who are pursuing higher education
- Transgenders
- Severely disabled persons
- Attendants of severely disabled persons
To benefit women living in hilly areas, this scheme will be further extended to hilly areas of Nilgiris, Kodaikanal and Valparai from the coming year.
Overview of Free Bus Travel for Woman in Tamilnadu Scheme
| Name of Scheme | CM Vidiyal Payana Thittam or Free Bus Travel for Woman in Tamilnadu Scheme |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Type of Scheme | Free Travel Scheme |
| Objective | To provide free bus travel facility to beneficiaries |
| Major Beneficiaries | Women, Transgenders, Severely disabled persons and their attendants |
| Budgetary Provision | Rs. 3,050 crore |
| Announced by | Finance Minister while presenting TN Budget 2024-25 |
Source / Reference link: https://www.tnbudget.tn.gov.in/tnweb_files/BS_2024_25_ENG_FINAL.pdf
Tags
Tamil Nadu