Private bus operators in Kerala have approached the Competition Commission of India (CCI) challenging the State government’s implementation of the Priyadarshini scheme, under which women and transgender persons are permitted to travel free of cost on KSRTC buses. In the petition, Bipin T Alapat, a private stage-carriage operator from Thrissur, submitted that the scheme has resulted in a drastic decline in passenger occupancy and revenue for private operators, rendering several services financially unviable. More than 750 private bus operators have reportedly discontinued their services, while those continuing to operate are facing severe financial distress despite having to meet all statutory and operational liabilities. According to the petition, the exclusive implementation of the scheme through KSRTC has provided the State-run corporation with a significant, state-funded competitive advantage, resulting in large-scale diversion of passengers from private operators. The complainant alleged that the scheme has imposed unfair and discriminatory conditions in the provision of passenger transport services, substantially restricted competition and effectively denied market access to private stage-carriage operators.