Car and taxi drivers of 2.48 lakh will each receive ₹ 10,000 for the third year in a row
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday released 248.47 crore for beneficiaries of the YSR Vahana Mitra program. The benefits were credited directly to the beneficiary’s accounts. As part of the program, the government is providing eligible auto rickshaw and taxi drivers with a grant of 10,000 yen.
On that occasion, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy said that drivers will be given 10,000 yen for recurring expenses such as vehicle insurance and maintenance in order to receive a medical certificate for the third time in three years.
“I made this promise in May 2018 when I was speaking in front of a public meeting in Eluru during my Padayatra. Given the difficulties faced by auto rickshaw drivers who barely earn 500 yen a day but have to pay 10,000 yen in insurance and other expenses to get a fitness certificate, the government developed this initiative. Almost 84% of the beneficiaries are from the SC, ST, BC and minority categories, ”said Jagan Mohan Reddy.
So far, 759 billion yen has been deposited directly into beneficiaries’ accounts under the YSR Vahana Mitra program, and Andhra Pradesh is the only state in the country to have implemented such a program, he said.
“This year, up to 42,932 additional beneficiaries have applied for the program, while 2.48 lakh will receive the benefits. Those who are excluded can apply to their respective village, community secretariat and their applications will be considered if they are entitled, ”said the Prime Minister.
People can dial 9154294326 or 1902 to learn the details of the program or to file a complaint. The government has set up a task force to ensure the smooth implementation of the program, he said.
The prime minister accused opposition leaders of spreading falsehoods about the system, saying that car and taxi drivers were burdened with taxes and penalties from previous governments.
Taxes and Penalties
In the 2015/16 financial year, a total of 7.39 billion as were collected from autorickshaw drivers as compound fees, taxes and fines, which rose to 9.68 billion in the 2016/17 financial year and to 10.19 billion in the next financial year . In fiscal year 2018-19, yen 7.09 billion was collected in fees, taxes and penalties, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy pointed out.
During the YSRCP’s tenure, only 68.44 lakhs were accrued in the 2019-20 fiscal year, which reduced only 35 lakhs in the 2020-21 fiscal year.
“94% promise fulfilled”
Referring to a book published by Telugu Desam Party leaders showing 94 “mistakes” made by the government, Jagan Mohan Reddy said that the government has fulfilled more than 94% of the promises made to the people in the past two years.
“The opposition leaders describe the YSR Vahana Mitra as one of the 94 mistakes. But in reality, taxes and penalties have dropped significantly during the YSRCP’s tenure, ”said the Prime Minister.
Deputy Chief Minister K. Narayana Swamy, Minister Perni Venkataramaiah, Ch. Venu Gopala Krishna, Chief Secretary (Transport) MT Krishna Babu, Commissioner PSR Anjaneyulu and other officials were present.