Issue free bus passes to all students: K'taka BJP to govt

The opposition BJP in Karnataka today demanded that the JD(S)-Congress coalition government announce free bus passes for all students in the state.

BJP state general secretary N Ravi Kumar referred to the government's stand that it would consider free bus passes to government school students and said it was wrong as many of the students from economically backward families studied in private schools.

Talking to reporters here, he accused the government of completely ignoring the education sector and claimed parents were forced to send their wards to private schools due to the pathetic condition of government schools.

The government decided to curtail the free bus pass scheme for students and after public outcry relented and said it was mulling giving free bus passes only to students of government schools.

"There are at least 25 per cent students who are going to private schools availing the benefits under the Right To Education (RTE). So shouldn't they get free bus pass?" the BJP leader asked the government.

He also sought to remind the coalition partner, Congress, in the government that it had promised in its election manifesto that it would provide free bus passes to the students.