Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has come out strongly in defence of the state-run public transport system and the government’s flagship Shakti scheme, following a sharp exchange on social media with IT industry veteran and former Infosys CFO T V Mohandas Pai over the role of private bus operators.
The minister asserted that public transport is a basic right of citizens and not a luxury, rejecting claims that the government has failed to provide adequate services. The online spat began after Pai alleged a shortage of buses and inadequate public transport facilities in the state, and urged the government to permit private operators to step in.
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“All we have got is shortage of buses and lack of public transport for last three years. (Earlier too) Please allow private buses to provide service,” Pai wrote in a post on X late on Thursday.
Escalating his criticism, the IT industry veteran accused Reddy of having “thoroughly failed” to ensure sufficient public transport, attributing the situation to what he described as the minister’s “dogmatic attitude” and insistence that only public sector undertakings should operate services.
Responding to the allegations, Reddy defended the government’s policies and the Shakti scheme, which provides free bus travel for women, reiterating that strengthening public transport remains a priority for the state and that accessibility and affordability for citizens cannot be compromised.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
