TSMFC distributes 342 cars to beneficiaries

The distribution is part of the scheme ‘Driver Empowerment Programme’ conceptualized by the State government to empower the SC, ST, BC Minority drivers in collaboration with Uber, Maruti Motors and SBI

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Minorities Finance Corporation (342) on Tuesday distributed 342 cars with subsidy amount of Rs 15.19 crores, under the scheme ‘driver empowerment programme’. 

Deputy chief minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali was the chief guest of the programme which was attended by home minister Naini Narsimha Reddy, Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi, Secunderabad MP, Bandaru Dattatreya and was presided over by Syed Akbar Hussain, chairman, TS Minorities Finance Corporation. 

The distribution programme was part of the scheme ‘Driver Empowerment Programme’ conceptualized by the State government to empower the SC, ST, BC Minority drivers in collaboration with Uber, Maruti Motors and SBI. 

The programme includes skill enhancement of the drivers through Maruti Driving School (MDS), assistance for employment through Uber and financial assistance for vehicle purchase through SC, ST, BC & Minority Corporations.

According to officials, in 2017-18, Government of Telangana issued orders for implementation of the scheme for the benefit of 500 minority drivers in the state with subsidy amount of Rs 25 crores.

The eligibility for applying for this scheme is minimum qualification is 8th pass, but SSC pass/fail candidates will be given preference. 

With the age limit of 21 to 40 years, the applicant should have valid LMV license issued by RTA. 

Preference shall be given to the candidates having LMV license with transport badge. 

The applicant should be interested to work with Uber in Hyderabad. The annual income must be less than Rs 1,50,000 (Rural areas) & Rs 2.00,000 (Urban areas) is the criteria.

Online applications have been called for through OBMMS web portal. The registration started on February 15, 2017. 

A total of 3,080 drivers from minority community submitted applications online. 

District level joint selection camps were conducted in all 31 districts in coordination with District Officers of concerned departments, representatives of Uber and State Bank of India under the supervision of District Collector concerned and 1,021 drivers were short listed. 

Further, the details of short-listed minority drivers has been validated with Transport Department and given central ranking basing on five parameters, Age, driving experience, commercial driving experience, educational qualification, Interview score.

As per the central ranking, total 472 minority beneficiaries were selected against the target of 500. On Tuesday 342 beneficiaries were sanctioned units with subsidy amount of Rs 15.19 crore. 

The balance 130 cases remain under process and verification by SBI for CIBIL and KYC norms.