Loans for cabs: State govt faces allegations of 'favouritism' from BJP
Sandeep Moudgal | TNN | Feb 7, 2019, 17:47 ISTBENGALURU: In a fresh round of controversies in the ruling coalition, the BJP has alleged the social welfare department is showing “favouritism” towards a single car dealer and manufacturer under its ambitious scheme of Airavat while disbursing loans for purchasing cabs by SC/ST youth.
The truncated assembly session on Thursday saw senior BJP leader and MLA C T Ravi allege the social welfare department had put a clause for the youths to purchase vehicles from only Advaith Hyundai company and a specific car model of Xcent.
“The department is delivering the first round of vehicles to 400-odd SC/ST youth of the same model and from the single dealer on February 11, thereby violating all possible legal and moral authority of disbursing the funds under the SCP TSP scheme of the state government to oppressed classes and given them empowerment,” said the MLA.
The allegation appears to be levelled with the intent of highlighting the fact that the said dealership has alleged stakes of the son of a senior Congress cabinet minister.
However, dismissing the allegation, social welfare department minister Priyank Kharge said the scheme does not put any clause for disbursal of funds in loans to cabs.
“I admit that Hyundai, as a car manufacturer has come forth to provide us discounts of close to Rs 1.5 to 2 lakhs, which is inclusive of accessories and other cosmetic changes to their car. But the government has also received offers from Maruti and even Tata motors for the same scheme. There is no favouritism and the government is not placing any condition of picking the car from a single dealership,” said Kharge.
The minister said the department has a tie-up with all the three car manufacturing companies as “preferred partners” so as to ensure that the government and the beneficiaries both are benefitted with hefty discounts.
“Previously middlemen and people invested in the scheme would take commissions of no less than 15,000 to 20,000 per SC/ST youth promising better deal for the cars to be purchased with government guaranteed loans. Now, under Airavata, we have tied-up with the various cab platforms including Uber and Ola, training the youth and then giving loans to those who are really interested in investing in cabs for a living. If they are not interested then we give them loans under regular schemes,” said Kharge.
The truncated assembly session on Thursday saw senior BJP leader and MLA C T Ravi allege the social welfare department had put a clause for the youths to purchase vehicles from only Advaith Hyundai company and a specific car model of Xcent.
“The department is delivering the first round of vehicles to 400-odd SC/ST youth of the same model and from the single dealer on February 11, thereby violating all possible legal and moral authority of disbursing the funds under the SCP TSP scheme of the state government to oppressed classes and given them empowerment,” said the MLA.
The allegation appears to be levelled with the intent of highlighting the fact that the said dealership has alleged stakes of the son of a senior Congress cabinet minister.
However, dismissing the allegation, social welfare department minister Priyank Kharge said the scheme does not put any clause for disbursal of funds in loans to cabs.
“I admit that Hyundai, as a car manufacturer has come forth to provide us discounts of close to Rs 1.5 to 2 lakhs, which is inclusive of accessories and other cosmetic changes to their car. But the government has also received offers from Maruti and even Tata motors for the same scheme. There is no favouritism and the government is not placing any condition of picking the car from a single dealership,” said Kharge.
The minister said the department has a tie-up with all the three car manufacturing companies as “preferred partners” so as to ensure that the government and the beneficiaries both are benefitted with hefty discounts.
“Previously middlemen and people invested in the scheme would take commissions of no less than 15,000 to 20,000 per SC/ST youth promising better deal for the cars to be purchased with government guaranteed loans. Now, under Airavata, we have tied-up with the various cab platforms including Uber and Ola, training the youth and then giving loans to those who are really interested in investing in cabs for a living. If they are not interested then we give them loans under regular schemes,” said Kharge.
more from times of india News
LATEST VIDEOS
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE