India, Aug. 16 -- The Congress government's Shakti scheme in Karnataka, which allows women to travel for free on state-run buses, has been widely hailed and even emulated by other states. But an X post by a woman who chose not to avail the benefit has triggered an intense debate online about subsidies and personal responsibility.

In her post, a user named Sahana shared that she always buys her bus ticket despite being eligible for free travel. "I feel so happy and proud whenever I pay for my bus ticket. The conductor asks-why? No Aadhaar card? And I reply-No sir, I don't take free tickets. Till date, I have never travelled using a free ticket. I don't want to put more burden on my state or country by using these freebies," she wrote.

He...