Long way to go — the e-rickshaw subsidy scheme in Delhi
E-rickshaws are a comparatively eco-friendly mode of transport. To promote them, the Delhi government introduced a subsidy for registered e-rickshaw owners in the capital. Applicants must submit bank account details, vehicle registration and a cancelled cheque, authenticated by the Motor Licensing Officer of the area, to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.
The scheme has not been promoted or marketed by the city government, and there is little awareness of it among the drivers it is meant for. Our survey found that no more than 10 per cent of registered e-rickshaw owners have claimed the subsidy, despite lacking capital and needing it.
A driver's claim decided by a cancelled cheque
Sunil, 42, an e-rickshaw owner, applied for the subsidy and was refused because he had no cancelled cheque. He has lived in Delhi for 25 years and driven an e-rickshaw for three. His vehicle is registered with the Transport Authority and he holds a licence to drive it.
He met every requirement of the scheme except the cancelled cheque: his account is under the Jan Dhan Yojana, which does not issue a cheque book. He withdraws money by pay-in slip when he needs it.