Rs. 5000 financial assistance to be provided to all PSV badge and permit holders of para-transit vehicles
India
healthysoch
New Delhi, May 14, 2021 :
The Delhi Cabinet today approved Rs. 5000 financial assistance to all individuals holding Public Service Badge (Drivers) of para transit vehicles and permit holders of para transit public service vehicles in the wake of the second wave of COVID-19 and further curfew announced by the Delhi Government that has left the owners of these vehicles in financial hardships.
In 2020, 78 Crores was given as financial assistance to more than 1.56 auto/taxi drivers. Beneficiaries of the 2020 scheme need not reapply, but will get the Rs. 5000 directly transferred to their Aadhar linked bank accounts subject to verification of deaths from local bodies.
On 4th May, the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced that a one-time financial assistance of Rs. 5000 will be provided to the PSV badge and permit holders of para transit vehicles – namely Autorickshaws, e-rickshaws, taxis, phatphat sewa, eco-friendly sewa, gramin sewa and maxi cabs, etc.
Earlier, in April 2020, the Delhi Government had launched 2 different schemes for PSV Badge holders and permit holders who had lost their means of livelihood during the first nationwide lockdown. 1,56,350 owners of para- transit vehicles in Delhi had benefitted from both the schemes and were provided a total financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 78 Crores. Delhi currently has over 2.80 lakh PSV badge holders and 1.90 Lakh Permit holders who are eligible to apply for the scheme and the Delhi Transport Department has already made necessary budgetary provisions for the same.
The validity of documents including PSV Badge, permit, driving license, etc of all public service vehicles have been extended periodically since March, 2020, as per orders by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India. The recent extension is till 30.06.2021, and all the holders of Driving license and PSV badge that are valid as on 01.02.2020, are eligible to receive the financial assistance. However, similar to the last scheme, this benefit will only be extended to individual owners of para transit vehicles and not to companies owning vehicle fleets.
Any person who has already received the Rs. 5000 assistance under the previous scheme, need not reapply, and will receive the amount credited to their Aadhaar linked bank account. This is being done after due verification by the Department and subject to verification of deaths by the Department, with the local bodies concerned. For this the Department, in a letter to the Urban Development department, has already sought data of deaths registered with local bodies since 01.02.2020 till date.
The Department has also clarified that all the PSV badge and permit holders of para transit vehicles people who did not get financial assistance last year because of any reason whatsoever will have to apply / register again on website. Link for the same will be made functional within few days on the Delhi Transport Department’s website.
Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot in a statement said “Delhi has been fighting this deadly second wave and under Hon’ble CM Arvind Kejriwal ji’s strong leadership, Delhi government is doing everything it can to ensure the implications of a lockdown, especially among the daily wage labourers, including auto/ taxi drivers, are kept to a minimum. Transport, especially autos are the lifeline of Delhi, and I request everyone who is eligible to avail of this assistance if you haven’t already, everyone who knows an eligible para transit driver to help them apply and reach out to us for any assistance.”
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