Guidelines issued for financial assistance to auto, taxi drivers in AP

Amaravati: The State government has issued orders to provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per annum to self owned Auto Rickshaw and Taxi drivers for expenditure towards insurance, fitness certificate, repairs and other requirements. MT Krishna Babu, Principal Secretary, Department of Transport, Roads and Buildings has issued GO Ms No 34 on Monday, as approved by the cabinet in its recent meeting.

Applications for to avail benefits will be opened from September 10.

This was a promise given by the Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy during his Padayatra.

Government notified the guidelines for eligibility, application, verification, sanction and payment for financial assistance to self owned auto, taxi, Maxi cab drivers:

Criteria for Eligibility: The applicant shall "own" and "drive" an Auto rickshaw, Taxi, Maxi Cab. The applicant shall possess a valid driving licence to drive Auto Rickshaw, Light Motor vehicle. The vehicle (Auto rickshaw, Taxi, Maxi Cab) shall be covered with valid records like Registration Certificate and tax in case of LT Cabs. Family will be eligible to get benefit for one auto or Taxi or Maxi cab. Family is defined as Husband, Wife and minor children. Each applicant shall have an Aadhaar card. The owner must possess BPL/white ration Card. At the time of application, the vehicle shall be in the possession of the owner.

Application procedure: The registered owner will be asked to link Aadhaar number to his vehicle, driving licence database in Transport Department website and to open an "unencumbered" bank account within a period of 15 days. This is to ensure that one person will get benefit for one vehicle only. The Village volunteer, Ward volunteer will help the beneficiary to open an unencumbered bank account. An online application will be made available by September 10. All the DTC, RTO, MVI Transport offices will provide help counters to facilitate filing of online application and linking of Aadhaar number.