Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has announced that it will provide free travel in KSRTC and private buses for children from very poor families for educational purposes. The order will come into effect from November 1.

The transport department has issued an order in this regard, stating that the free travel will be allowed only for educational purposes.

With the new order coming into effect, the travel of students belonging to 64,000 families identified as extremely poor in the state will be completely free.

The students who have completed 10th standard will be provided facilities to study in the adjacent school. Higher education scholarship, stipend, and free food in the college canteen will also be provided.

The rest of the applications for conversion of ration cards should be completed immediately. Entitlement documents were also provided to all those who were in the very poor list and were not technologically challenged.

Presently, KSRTC service is free to all students till higher secondary. College students have a concessional rate. Private buses also have concession fares for all students.