The Karnataka government is set to introduce a smart card system for beneficiaries of the Shakti scheme, aimed at tightening verification of free bus travel and preventing misuse of the programme.
The proposal follows concerns within the government that free travel benefits have been claimed using fake Aadhaar cards and other incorrect documents, resulting in financial losses.
Under the proposal, beneficiaries will be required to obtain a dedicated smart card after establishing their eligibility, with a Karnataka voter identity card and Aadhaar card being key requirements for securing the card.
Each smart card will carry the beneficiary's name, photograph, Aadhaar number, and residential address, and will be non-transferable to prevent misuse.
The department plans to issue nearly 3 crore smart cards across the state, with the system being introduced first on a pilot basis in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation before being expanded to the state's other road transport corporations.
The proposal comes days after deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said beneficiaries of state welfare programmes must ensure that their names are included in Karnataka's electoral rolls.
