3 weeks ago
Only 17 Pink E-Autos on Pune Roads Despite 4,000 Allocation
The state government of Maharashtra started a special program to help women earn money by driving pink electric auto-rickshaws in the city of Pune.
Almost two years ago, the city was given about 4,000 of these pink e-autos to share among women.
But only 17 women are actually driving them today.
The government recently made the program more helpful by paying a bigger part of the cost.
Still, experts say many women are dropping out before they ever get a vehicle.
Some women thought the vehicle would be free and were surprised when they had to pay or take a loan.
Others had trouble getting bank loans or finish paperwork like driving licences and permits.
Many women also did not get enough information or follow-up after they applied.
Passing through so many different offices made the process slow and confusing.
Experts suggest one single help desk could make everything easier.
When women do drive the autos, passengers like it, and the drivers feel proud and independent.
Only 17 women operate Pink E-Autos in Pune nearly two years after the city was allotted about 4,000 vehicles under Maharashtra's women empowerment scheme.
The state recently doubled the subsidy from 20% to 40%, cutting the beneficiary's contribution to 10% of the vehicle cost.
NGOs Parisar and Asar Social Impact Advisors say financing, documentation, awareness and multi-agency coordination are the biggest barriers, not lack of interest.
A survey of about 340 applicants who dropped out found financial constraints (69), personal reasons (46) and no follow-up after application (42) were the top reasons.
Passengers have generally welcomed women drivers, and beneficiaries say ownership has brought confidence, dignity and financial independence.
- Who
- Women beneficiaries of Maharashtra's Pink E-Auto scheme, along with NGOs Parisar and Asar Social Impact Advisors.
- What
- Only 17 of around 4,000 allotted Pink E-Autos are operating on Pune roads despite the state doubling the subsidy from 20% to 40%.
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra, India.
- When
- Nearly two years after Pune was allotted the vehicles, following a recently revised Government Resolution.
- Why
- Financing bottlenecks, unclear communication about the scheme, documentation delays and poor coordination among multiple agencies have caused most applicants to drop out.
Key facts
- Vehicles allocated
- Around 4,000 Pink E-Autos
- Vehicles operating
- 17
- Original subsidy
- 20%
- Revised subsidy
- 40%
- Beneficiary contribution
- 10% of vehicle cost
- Applicants surveyed
- Around 340
Quotes
Sharmila Deo
Senior Programme Associate at Parisar
“The challenge is not limited to one department. Applicants have to coordinate with the Women and Child Development Department, banks, RTOs, Metro authorities, vehicle suppliers and training agencies.”
freepressjournal.in
“Our experience suggests the issue is not a lack of interest among women, but the complexity of implementation.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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