Amritsar. In order to improve the public transport of Amritsar city and reduce pollution in Punjab, “Rahi” (Rahi) of Amritsar Smart City replacing old diesel auto with e-auto. Under the Rejuvenation of Auto-Rickshaw in Amritsar through Holistic Intervention project, a cash subsidy of Rs 1.25 lakh will now be available instead of Rs 75 thousand. It is noteworthy that under the Smart City Mission, the Rahi scheme was started by the government to replace the old diesel autos with e-autos in the city, under which the auto rickshaw drivers would first get 75 thousand rupees. Cash subsidy and loans were being given at easy rates.
Amritsar Smart City CEO and Municipal Corporation Commissioner Kumar Saurabh Raj said on Saturday that after talking to auto rickshaw unions and drivers, it was found that earlier auto rickshaw drivers were required to take e-autos about 50 thousand. He had to make a down payment of rupees, but his financial condition was not such that he could make the down payment. Apart from this, there was also a demand by the auto drivers to increase the subsidy. He said that keeping all the factors in mind, the subsidy has now been increased by the government and it will be given on the upfront mode, so that the burden on the auto rickshaw drivers can be reduced. He said that apart from State Bank of India, other banks are being empaneled by the government under the Rahi scheme, under which proposals have been received from Canara Bank, Indian Bank, Union Bank of India, HDFC Bank and Punjab Gramin Bank. (talk)
