06-08-2025
Cabinet approves free bus ride for women in Andhra Pradesh from August 15
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved a series of transformative welfare initiatives ahead of the National Handloom Day, significantly impacting women, weavers, and small business owners across the State.
These include the free bus ride for women and handholding to the weaver community and Nayee Brahmins (who are into salon services).
Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat on Wednesday, I&PR Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy said, among the flagship measures, was the free bus travel scheme for women, set to be launched on August 15, under the 'Stree Shakti' initiative, which was one of the government's Super Six election promises.
'The scheme will allow over 2.6 crore women, girl students, and transgender individuals to travel free of cost on APSRTC buses, including Palle Velugu, Express, and Metro Express services. Valid ID proof is required, and services such as inter-State, chartered, or package tours are excluded,' the Minister said.
Cost to exchequer
'The scheme will apply to 74% of the APSRTC fleet (about 6,700 buses), benefiting nearly 27 lakh commuters daily. The annual cost to the exchequer is expected to reach ₹1,942 crore. To meet increased demand, the State will procure 3,000 electric buses this year, with 1,400 more over two years. Safety upgrades include body cams for female conductors and CCTV cameras on buses, along with improved bus station facilities,' he said.
Mr. Parthasarathy said, in a major boost to the traditional weaving sector, the Cabinet approved a comprehensive ₹648.59 crore relief package.
'The measures include free electricity (200 units for manual looms and 500 units for power looms), 5% GST reimbursement, and revival of the Thrift Fund Scheme, wherein the government matches 8% of a weaver's savings. Additionally, ₹5 crore has been allocated for 2025–26, and pending dues of ₹17.17 crore from 2017 onwards will be cleared,' the Minister said.
Further, the Cabinet approved 150–200 units of free electricity for 40,808 hair-cutting saloons, both AC and non-AC, imposing an estimated ₹100 crore annual burden on the State.
In other decisions, the Cabinet approved the formulation of a Social Media Policy and extended the ban on the CPI (Maoist) and its affiliated organisations such as RYL, RSU, SIKASA, and RDF until August 2026, under the Public Security Act.
