Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday launched the subsidy scheme for e-rickshaws as he announced financial assistance of Rs 30,000 by the Delhi government for retrofitting and registration of the vehicles.
Addressing a rally of e-rickshaw drivers at Chhatrasal stadium, Kejriwal asserted that his government is "pro-poor" and said, "You voted us to power and now it is our responsibility to look after you."
On the occasion, he distributed cheques of Rs 15,000 to 26 drivers who have already registered their e-rickshaws with the transport department. He also thanked Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari for supporting Delhi government's endeavour by extending time limit for registration of e-rickshaws.
"We thank Nitin Gadkari for extending last date of registration which is March 31 by which all e-rickshaws must be registered," Kejriwal said. The chief minister has directed the transport department to develop parking facilities for e-rickshaws, which he termed as "the best mode of transport" for saving the environment.
He also invited e-rickshaw drivers to his residence tomorrow morning to hear their problems. Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai, who was present at the rally, said his department will organise special camps from March 9 for registration which will go on till March 31.
A total of 3,000 e-rickshaw drivers who have already registered their vehicles at 13 regional transport offices in the city have been provided cheques for Rs 15,000 as subsidy. There are 4,600 e rickshaws registered with transport department of Delhi which are eligible for the subsidy. The government will give financial assistance of Rs 30,000 to those e-rickshaw drivers who are yet to register their old vehicles after retrofitting as per norms of the Transport department.
