Minister C P John’s Remarks Insult Women and Public Service Users, Says MLA V K Sanoj

Thiruvananthapuram: MLA V K Sanoj has criticised Transport Minister C P John over his remarks about women using the government’s free bus travel scheme.

In a Facebook post, Sanoj said the UDF had promised free travel for women on all KSRTC buses before the election. However, after coming to power, the government restricted the benefit to a limited number of ordinary services.

“Even that was not enough. Several ordinary services were converted into City Fast services, further reducing the scope of the benefit,” Sanoj said.

He alleged that the Transport Minister was now mocking and insulting women who were using the limited benefit provided by the government.

“Using a benefit provided by the government is the right of women. It is not a favour granted by any minister or government. Portraying women who exercise that right as if they have done something wrong and insulting them is completely unacceptable,” Sanoj said.

He added that a minister should not mock people who depend on government hospitals, children studying in government schools or ordinary citizens who rely on public transport.

“Such statements are an insult to lakhs of ordinary people who depend on public services,” Sanoj said.