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Yogi Adityanath launches ‘Lokmata Ahilyabai Matri Shakti Yatra’; Akhilesh Yadav claims the idea was proposed by SP two weeks earlier
Pooja Srivastava
Anytime News Network
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched the ‘Lokmata Ahilyabai Matri Shakti Yatra’ scheme, offering free bus travel to women aged 60 years and above across the state.
The scheme was launched at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow ahead of Raksha Bandhan. Under the initiative, eligible women will receive free travel in Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses.
The Chief Minister announced that on August 27, 28 and 29, mothers, sisters and daughters will be able to travel free of cost along with one accompanying passenger. The initiative is being presented as a measure aimed at honouring women and making travel easier and more accessible during the festive period.
The government has linked the initiative with the welfare and dignity of senior women, particularly enabling them to travel conveniently and meet their families during Raksha Bandhan.
However, the announcement has also triggered a political credit battle in the state.
Samajwadi Party president and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, while addressing a press conference, targeted the state government and claimed that his party had prepared a similar proposal around two weeks earlier.
Taking a sharp dig at the government, Yadav said he might now have to “shield” his office as well, alleging that a scheme prepared by his party was implemented by the Yogi government two weeks later.
The ruling side is highlighting the initiative as a gesture of respect and support for women, while the opposition has raised questions over the origin and political credit for the scheme.
The controversy has added a political dimension to a welfare measure that is otherwise aimed at providing free and convenient public transport to senior women during Raksha Bandhan.
With the scheme coming into effect for the three-day festive period, the focus will now be on its implementation and the experience of beneficiaries across Uttar Pradesh.
