Amaravati: 2.62 Lakh auto, taxi drivers receive Rs 10,000 each under YSR Vahana Mitra Scheme

Amaravati: In a move to help autorickshaw and taxi drivers-cum-owners affected due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the state government on Thursday disbursed four months in advance an annual financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to each of the 2.62 lakh beneficiaries under a welfare scheme YSR Vahana Mitra.

Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy announced the transfer of a total amount of Rs 262.49 crore to 2,62,493 beneficiaries under the scheme during a videoconference with district collectors and beneficiaries, an official statement said.

"The Chief Minister also appealed to the beneficiaries to use the money for the intended purpose and not for alcohol. This would put both passengers and the driver into trouble," the statement added.

The Vahana Mitra was launched on October 4, 2019 with an aim to provide an annual allowance of Rs 10,000 to auto and taxi drivers-cum-owners to meet insurance premium, licence fees and other recurring expenses.

According to the government, the annual payment of allowance under the scheme was advanced by four months as the auto and taxi drivers had no source of income during the past few months due to the lockdown clamped to fight COVID-19.

"We have announced the calendar for welfare schemes with the auto and taxi drivers getting Rs 236 crore transferred as an unencumbered amount into their accounts which cannot be deducted by bankers for any previous commitment of the account holders," Jagan said.

The Chief Minister asked people to check their eligibility criteria for the scheme in their respective villages or ward secretariats.

Those who meet the eligibility but have not received any amount as yet can reapply under the scheme, he said.

"They can also use the 'Spandana online platform to claim their benefits, if they fit into the eligibility criteria. The amount will be credited by July 4," he added.