August 6, 2014
WB Govt launches Gati Dhara scheme to help unemployed people buy small vehicles as means of income
The West Bengal Cabinet on Tuesday cleareda proposal to offer financial help of up to Rs 1 lakh to unemployed persons agedbetween 20 and 45 to buy “small vehicles”. The move may encourage people to buytaxis and small buses.
The GatiDhara scheme was outlined by the Finance Minister in the budget inFebruary. The Cabinet on Tuesday announced that families with a monthly incomeof Rs 25,000 or less would qualify for financial support under the scheme.
“The transport department will interviewapplicants and draw up a list of eligible candidates. The labour departmentwould provide the money but the scheme would be implemented by the transportdepartment,” said Transport Minister Mr Madan Mitra. “The resolution has beencleared and will come into effect immediately.”
The project was initially aimed at thoseplanning to buy no-refusal taxis, luxury taxis or small goods vehicles. Now thescheme would extend to small buses with low-seating capacity. The final list of vehicles will be drawn upsoon.
The move was aimed at youths in Jangalmahal,who were finding it difficult to pool money to buy goods vehicles. During herrecent trips to Bankura and Purulia, Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee hadexpressed keenness to help youths in the Maoist-hit districts eke out a living.This would be of great help to those planning to buy Matadors or small eight to12-seater buses.
The image used is a representative one.
