Kerala Minister Expresses Regret Over Remark on Women's Transport

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.