(a) whether the Union Government has received any proposal from the
Government of Karnataka requesting funds for implementing a scheme
for smart cards for students and monthly passes;and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the proposal is likely to be cleared?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI MAHADEO SINGH KHANDELA)
(a)&(b) Two proposals have been received from Government of Karnataka in March 2009 seeking financial assistance
for introduction of smart card based student passes and monthly commuter passes to be implemented by North Eastern
Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC) and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). A draft scheme
prepared by the Ministry for providing central assistance to the States for strengthening public transport system has
been approved by Planning Commission in principle. Since finalization of the scheme involves decision/observation of
appropriate authorities such as Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC), no definite time frame for consideration of the
above proposals can be envisaged at this stage.