Bus owners in Telangana are planning to go on strike starting from January 5. This decision comes after the implementation of the Mahalakshmi scheme, which allows all women to ride State-owned buses for free. The bus owners have raised concerns about the increasing number of passengers in the buses, which they believe will cause mileage issues. They are also worried about the lack of sufficient insurance coverage, as exceeding the bus limits could result in severe financial losses in case of accidents.
The Maha Lakshmi scheme was introduced by the Telangana Congress during the election campaign. It aims to provide various benefits to women in Telangana, such as a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2500, gas cylinders at Rs 500, and free travel in TSRTC buses.