Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers work long hours, often late into the night, but many still lack financial security for their families. To support them, the Maharashtra government has taken a step forward by announcing a new welfare initiative aimed at providing relief and financial support to drivers and their families.
Maharashtra Announces Welfare Initiative For Drivers
Recently, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Saheb Passenger Transport Driver-Owner Welfare Board in Thane on Friday. According to Times Now, this board was launched to offer financial, health, insurance and education benefits to auto-rickshaw and taxi driver-owners across the state.
Under this plan, he also announced the Retirement Honour Scheme for driver-owners aged 65 years and above. The eligible drivers will get ₹10,000. The best part? Around 735 eligible drivers have already received the ₹10,000 retirement amount directly in their bank accounts after submitting their bank details. He also acknowledged how auto and taxi drivers risked their lives during Covid-19 by taking patients to hospitals.
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Other Welfare Initiatives Launched
Shinde also highlighted some of the welfare initiatives introduced during his tenure as chief minister. These initiatives are the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana and Shasan Aplya Dari. He said the Shasan Aplya Dari initiative has benefited around five crore people, helping take government services and schemes closer to people.
Shinde also wants more auto and taxi drivers to learn Marathi. He called for a renewed campaign to encourage drivers to learn the language. Earlier, around 1.65 lakh people learned Marathi through 180 centres across Maharashtra.
We hope this initiative plays an important role in providing financial support to drivers and their families!
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Cover Image Courtesy: Flickr/ Deadly Tedly
FAQs
How is the retirement aid for auto-taxi drivers?
Eligible auto-rickshaw and taxi driver-owners aged 65 and above will receive a ₹10,000 retirement honourarium.
How Maharashtra will support auto-taxi drivers financially?
Maharashtra will support auto-taxi drivers through retirement aid, insurance, health assistance and education benefits for their children.
How many auto-taxi drivers has received retirement aid?
Around 735 eligible auto-rickshaw and taxi driver-owners have already received the ₹10,000 retirement aid.