Netizens mock KSRTC for offering bus pass to Neeraj Chopra; demand free passes for state athletes

BENGALURU: Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was ridiculed on social media for announcing a free lifetime ‘golden bus pass’ for Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, who is from Panipat in Haryana, and is unlikely to need it at all.
The pass, many netizens opined, should be offered to state athletes instead who could do with the support.

On Saturday, KSRTC managing director Shivayogi C Kalasad issued a statement: “Many congratulations to Olympic Golden boy Mr Neeraj Chopra. We celebrate his success and are happy to announce KSRTC Golden bus pass to him on the occasion of the 60th year of KSRTC (sic)”.

KSRTC’s social media handles shared his statement.

However, many netizens were not convinced with the idea. Derek Kandur wrote on Twitter: “Do you really think Chopra needs it or utilises it? Ensure that from Monday onwards, people using KSRTC for their matches to represent state, district or India, should be given free travel to individual & coach (sic)”.

Kalasad was unavailable for comments. However, a senior KSRTC official said: “It’s a token gesture to honour him. We have issued free passes to sportsmen, including those who received Arjuna Award, Olympians and para Olympians, in the past.”

KSRTC also announced a free lifetime bus pass for golfer Aditi Ashok, who narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal after finishing fourth in the women’s individual golf tournament.

Raghavendra, a Twitter user, posted: “First raise the salary of employees, Neeraj bhai will be happy, the administrative officers have not built this organisation for 60 years, its drivers, conductors and mechanics to whom you pay less salary (sic).”