Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Transport Minister C P John on Wednesday said there was no intention to insult women in connection with the Priyadarshini scheme and expressed regret if his remarks had hurt anyone.
The minister also conceded that he should have been more careful in his choice of words and he should not have said what he did.
John, at an event of private bus owners, had said that women who use the state's free Priyadarshini bus travel scheme and government hospitals prefer to educate their children in private schools, triggering a political row in the state.
"I was speaking at a small event and used some words casually. I should have been careful about my choice of words. I should not have said so. I don't have any false ego in admitting that and have no problem expressing regret over what I said.
"I express regret for my remarks if they have caused hurt to anyone. I had no intention of hurting or insulting anyone. We will continue with the Priyadarshini scheme as it is a prestigious flagship programme of the UDF government," John told reporters.
He also made it clear that he was not expressing regret on anyone's direction.
The Priyadarshini scheme offers free travel for women on state transport corporation's ordinary bus services and is one of the Indira guarantees announced during the assembly polls by the UDF.
John said that he saw statements by some CPI(M) leaders that his remarks were the beginning of the government's move to stop the scheme.
"We are not going to stop it. Let there be no doubt about it. The scheme will continue in a good way. It is the government's baby. It is one of our biggest commitments," he said.
He further said that scheme did not discriminate against any women based on their age or financial background and every one of them has the right to go on Priyadarshini buses.
"It is women's right and not a charity by the government. That is not our stand," he added.
At the same time, the minister said that there is extreme poverty in the state and any statements to the contrary are wrong.
He said that the government will take steps to resolve it and the Priyadarshini scheme has served to mitigate extreme poverty.
John further said that the scheme was not a burden on the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) as it is a government scheme.
"We have already given Rs 40 crore to KSRTC for running it for 15 days in June," he said.
