The Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, has approved the groundbreaking ‘Shakti’ scheme, which enables women in Karnataka to travel free of cost across the state. To further streamline the process, the government has recently announced that women can now apply online for the ‘Shakti’ smart cards starting from June 11. This article will guide you through the step-by-step process of applying for the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card online.
Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card: Facilitating Women’s Travel
To avail free travel in state buses starting from June 11, the Karnataka government has advised women to apply for the Shakti smart cards. This scheme, which was one of the key election promises of the Congress party in Karnataka, comes with a set of guidelines issued by the Transport Department. To apply for the Shakti Smart Card, women can visit the sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in website and follow the application process outlined below.
About Karnataka Shakti Smart Card: Limitations and Exclusions
It is important to note that the Shakti scheme is applicable only on ordinary state-run bus services within Karnataka. Certain buses, such as Airavat, Airavata Club Class, Airavata Gold Class, Ambari, Ambari Dream Class, Ambari Utsav, Fly Bus, Vayu Vajra, Vajra, Non AC Sleeper, Rajahansa, and EV Power Plus AC buses, are excluded from this scheme. Additionally, the scheme does not apply to buses that travel outside the state. Moreover, 50% of the seats in ordinary and express buses of KSRTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC will be reserved for men.
Objective of Shakti Smart Card: Easing Women’s Travel
The primary objective of the Karnataka state government is to make travel easier for women by providing them with the Shakti Smart Card as a means of identification. By obtaining the online Shakti smart card through the seva sindhu portal starting from June 11, women will be able to travel conveniently across the state.
Benefits of Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card: Empowering Women
The Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card offers several benefits to women residents of Karnataka, including:
- Easy travel in state government buses
- Identification and proof of belonging to Karnataka
- Display of resident’s name, gender, and address
Please note that the card allows free travel exclusively on state government buses.
Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
The following individuals are eligible to apply for the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card:
- Women residing in Karnataka
- Students applying for scholarships
- Members of the transgender community
- Men, with a 50% seat reservation in applicable buses
Important Documents for Shakti Smart Card: Gather Your Records
To apply for the Shakti Smart Card, ensure that you have the following documents:
- Aadhaar card or any other valid identity proof
- Recent photograph
- Proof of Karnataka state domicile
Buses Allowed and Excluded in the ‘Shakti’ Scheme
The ‘Shakti’ scheme is applicable to the following bus services:
- Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation (KSRTC)
- Bengaluru Metropolitan Transportation Corporation (BMTC)
- Northwest Road Transportation Corporation (NWRTC)
- Kalyana Karnataka Road Transportation Corporation (KKRTC)
The scheme does not cover the following types of buses:
- Buses traveling outside the state
- Luxury buses
- Sleeper buses (both AC and non-AC)
- Vayu Vajra
- Ambari
- Airavat
- Flybus
- EV Power Plus (AC)
How to Benefit from the Free Bus Travel Scheme: Temporary Measures
Until the issuance of ‘Shakti’ smart cards, women can avail free travel by showing a photo identity proof with residential address, such as Aadhaar card, to conductors while traveling in buses.
Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card Apply Online: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to apply for the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card online:
- Visit the official website of the women’s portal: https://sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in/
- On the homepage, click on the “Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card” link.
- Fill in the required details, including name, address, mobile number, email id, Aadhaar number, and identity card information.
- Upload the necessary documents on the portal and submit the application.
- After submitting, the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card will be generated in a PDF format.
- Download the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card by clicking on the “Download PDF” button.
By following these steps, you can easily obtain your Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card online.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card Apply Online
Q1: What is the starting date for the application process of Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card?
A1: The application process for Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card will begin on June 11. This is when women can start applying for the smart card through the online portal.
Q2: Who is eligible to apply for the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card?
A2: The Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card is available for women who are residents of Karnataka. Additionally, students applying for scholarships and individuals from the transgender community can also apply for the card. However, please note that there is a 50% seat reservation for men in applicable buses.
Q3: What are the benefits of having a Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card?
A3: The Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card offers several benefits, including easy travel in state government buses. It serves as a means of identification, displaying the resident’s name, gender, and address. The card also acts as proof of Karnataka residency and allows free travel exclusively in state government buses.
Q4: Are there any documents required for the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card application?
A4: Yes, there are certain documents that you need to provide while applying for the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card. These include a valid identity proof such as Aadhaar card, a recent photograph, and proof of Karnataka state domicile.
Q5: Can men also apply for the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card?
A5: While the scheme primarily targets women, men can also apply for the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card. However, it is important to note that there is a 50% seat reservation for men in buses where the ‘Shakti’ scheme is applicable.
Q6: Which buses are covered under the ‘Shakti’ scheme?
A6: The ‘Shakti’ scheme is applicable to ordinary state-run bus services within Karnataka. This includes buses operated by the Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transportation Corporation (BMTC), Northwest Road Transportation Corporation (NWRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transportation Corporation (KKRTC).
Q7: Which buses are excluded from the ‘Shakti’ scheme?
A7: The ‘Shakti’ scheme does not cover buses traveling outside the state, luxury buses, sleeper buses (both AC and non-AC), Vayu Vajra, Ambari, Airavat, Flybus, and EV Power Plus (AC) buses.
Q8: How can I apply for the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card online?
A8: To apply for the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card online, visit the official website of the women’s portal at https://sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in/. On the homepage, click on the “Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card” link. Fill in the required details, upload the necessary documents, and submit the application. Once submitted, you can download the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card in PDF format.
Q9: What should I do if I don’t have a Shakti Smart Card yet but want to avail free bus travel?
A9: Until the issuance of Shakti Smart Cards, women can show a photo identity proof with a residential address, such as the Aadhaar card, to conductors while traveling in buses to avail free travel.
Q10: Is the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card valid for travel in buses operated by private transport companies?
A10: No, the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card is specifically designed for free travel in state government buses. It is not applicable to buses operated by private transport companies.
In case you have any further queries or require assistance during the application process, it is recommended to refer to the official Seva Sindhu website or reach out to the concerned authorities for clarification.
In conclusion, the Seva Sindhu Shakti Smart Card empowers women in Karnataka by enabling free travel across the state. By applying online through the official portal, women can easily obtain their Shakti Smart Cards and benefit from this remarkable scheme. Remember to gather the necessary documents and follow the step-by-step process for a seamless application experience.
Disclaimer: This blog post was generated with the assistance of AI. User validation is required for complete accuracy.