Now a cash subsidy of Rs 1.25 lakh will now be available instead of Rs 75,000 to buy e-auto under the “RAAHI” (Rejuvenation of Auto-rickshaws in Amritsar through Holistic Intervention) project, started under the smart city mission to replace old diesel autos with e-autos to improve the city's public transport and to reduce pollution.
It is to be known that the RAAHI scheme was launched by Amritsar Smart City to replace the old diesel auto with e-auto in the city. Under which auto rickshaw drivers were earlier being given a cash subsidy of Rs 75,000 and loans at easy rates.
Giving more details about this, Amritsar Smart City CEO and Municipal Corporation Commissioner Kumar Saurabh Raj said that after consultation with auto rickshaw unions and drivers, it was found that in the earlier period of the scheme auto rickshaw drivers had to pay approx Rs. 50,000 to get the benefit of the scheme.
But their financial condition was not so good that they could make the down payment. Apart from this, there was also a demand by auto drivers to increase the subsidy. Keeping everything in mind, the subsidy has now been increased by the government and it will be given on upfront mode.
So that the burden on auto rickshaw drivers can be reduced. He said that apart from the State Bank of India, more banks are being empaneled by the government for this scheme. Under which proposals have been received from Canara Bank, Indian Bank, Union Bank, HDFC Bank and Punjab Gramin Bank.
He said that in order to take advantage of the RAAHI scheme, the aspiring driver must be a member of the Amritsar Auto Rickshaw Drivers Cooperative Society. At the same time,interested drivers must have an Aadhar card or voter card, Registration Certificate of old auto, driving license and member slip of Auto Rickshaw Driver Cooperative Society to get the benefit of RAAHI scheme.
Taking these documents, the driver can apply by visiting the dealership of empaneled companies Mahindra and Piaggio.He said that the RAAHI project would not only clean the environment of the city, but also increase the earnings of rickshaw drivers, because at the current oil price the operational cost of diesel auto is approx is Rs. 4 to 5 per km, while it is around 0.68 paise per km in the e-auto.
Under the RAAHI, free skill development courses are also being conducted for the female family members of auto rickshaw drivers. Under which courses like Cutting and Tailoring, Beauty Parlour, Computer Operator and Food and Fruit Preservation can be done from the All India Women's Conference branch located near the Bus Stand.