AAP 'appeals, challenges' CMs of other states to make bus ride free for women

New Delhi: The AAP on Tuesday "appealed and challenged" chief ministers of other states to make public bus ride free for women as the Delhi government has done in the national capital to uplift them and increase the economic growth of the country.

Senior AAP leader Atishi said it is a "landmark" day for women in the city, noting that free travel for women scheme is an "origin of a new era of women empowerment and economic growth of India".

Atishi said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) wants to "appeal and challenge" all the chief ministers of various states of India that if they are also concerned about women empowerment and want to increase the GDP of the country then they should implement the same scheme.

"We believe that following this decision, every state of India will take this initiative for the empowerment of woman, for economic development of the woman, and growth of GDP of India," she said.

Atishi said only 11 per cent women join the workforce of Delhi which is "very saddening" and this happens because of the lack of security of women in the city.

"From today, none of the Delhi girls will have to leave school or discontinue school due to travel expenses because the travel cost will be free. From today, one of the women will have to leave or discontinue their work due to the travel expenses," she said.

However, it could not be done for metro trains as the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has sought time to work out plans for its implementation.