Karnataka’s Shakti scheme boosted economic independence, mobility and employment of women across State, finds survey

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More than 91% of respondents said the Shakti strategy improved their fiscal situation, with implicit 80% redeeming up to ₹1,000 a week connected commuting costs, according to an autarkic survey of the Karnataka government’s Shakti escaped autobus question strategy for women. The study highlights the transformative interaction of the inaugural connected women’s economical independence, mobility, and employment crossed the State.

The “Impact valuation of the 5 guarantees of the authorities of Karnataka”, conducted by autarkic argumentation advisor Tara Krishnaswamy successful collaboration with Lokniti–Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) and Indus Action Initiatives, assessed the effectiveness of the strategy implicit a year.

According to Ms. Krishnaswamy, the survey surveyed 6,125 women heads of households crossed 15 districts and held in-depth qualitative interviews successful 5 districts, examining the programme’s outcomes done a sex lens.

The study recovered that the Shakti strategy recorded the highest saturation level among each 5 guarantees, with 96% of women beneficiaries having utilized the service. “For many, the savings person straight boosted household finances. Daily wage earners, successful particular, were recovered to prevention astir one-third of their play net acknowledgment to escaped travel,” she added.

According to survey report, Shakti has redefined women’s entree to employment, education, and healthcare. About 83% of women said they could present entree amended aesculapian facilities, portion an adjacent proportionality reported improved household relationships arsenic they were capable to sojourn relatives and children much frequently. Nearly 72% of respondents said they felt much assured and empowered, and two-thirds reported greater independency successful question decisions.

19% of respondents crossed Karnataka said they gained caller oregon amended jobs owed to Shakti. “The interaction is peculiarly striking successful districts specified arsenic Chikkamagaluru (44%), Bengaluru Urban (34%), and Kolar (28%), wherever women said escaped autobus question allowed them to prosecute better-paying jobs farther from home,” Ms. Tara said.

Challenges

Despite its success, the study identifies challenges specified arsenic overcrowding and mediocre accessibility to autobus stops. Over 80% of respondents said stops were excessively far, and astir the aforesaid fig reported delays caused by overcrowded buses.

The study recommends expanding the fig and frequence of buses, expanding routes, and improving accessibility, particularly successful Bengaluru Rural, which recorded the lowest usage astatine 86%. It calls for rebranding the strategy to item its socio-economic benefits alternatively than viewing it arsenic a governmental freebie.

Published - October 16, 2025 07:25 p.m. IST

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