Only 24% auto drivers apply for state’s Rs1,500 aid

Nagpur: Only 24% autorickshaw drivers in the city have applied for the state government’s one-time relief package of Rs1,500 announced when the lockdown-like restrictions were imposed in April.
According to regional transport office data, there are at least 7.15 lakh autorickshaw permit holders across the state. Of the 18,491 autorickshaw drivers (from deputy RTO east and city office), only 4,540 have applied for the government dole so far. Of these, only 3,880 three-wheeler drivers have received Rs1,500 in their respective bank accounts.
From the city RTO office, the transport department has received 1,980 applications, while 1,840 autorickshaw drivers have already received the amount in their bank account.
The east office received 2,560 online applications of which 2,040 have been cleared and relief amount disbursed.
Deputy RTO Vinod Jadhav said that autorickshaw drivers having valid permits and driving licences will definitely receive the relief package. But they have to apply online and ensure they provide authenticate details.
Autorickshaw union leaders admitted the response was not satisfactory. They blamed on the meagre relief amount being offered. Besides this, the procedure to avail the scheme is also very tedious for many, they pointed out.
Autorickshaw driver Rafique Sheikh said that they had been demanding compensation of Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 a month since the first lockdown which was imposed in March 2020. “The state government’s one-time relief of Rs1,500 is nothing but peanuts,” he said.
Most autorickshaw drivers claimed that they will not claim the relief package. “It is nothing but rubbing salt to our injury,” said another autorickshaw driver Chandu Gadge.
Vilas Bhalekar, founder president of Vidarbha Autorickshaw Chalak Federation, said the main reason for poor response is that most auto drivers haven’t linked their mobile numbers to Aadhaar card, which is mandatory to avail the relief.