Telangana government denies drivers empowerment

Hyderabad: Almost six months after paying their share of Rs 50,000, 342 beneficiaries who were selected for the minorities’ empowerment programme of the Telangana State Minorities Finance Corporation (TSMFC) are waiting for their assistance.

The government had announced the scheme in February last year. A few thousand persons had applied for the scheme but after scrutiny 500 were selected by the TSMFC. The programme is being taken up in collaboration with Department of Tribal Welfare, Maruti Suzuki and Uber cabs. Maruti Suzuki would provide Swift Dzire cars while Uber will train the drivers.

The total cost of the car is around Rs 7.5 lakh. Of this, 60 per cent, Rs 4.5 lakh, is being given as subsidy while the remaining including Rs 2.5 lakh loan from the bank is to be borne by the driver.

The TSMFC had tied up with the SBI for loans. The beneficiaries had deposited their share of Rs 50,000 each totally Rs 1.71 crore. “A total of 342 persons deposited Rs 50,000 each in the bank last year and the training was conducted by Maruti Suzuki and Uber cabs. Uber was to absorb us and give business. Yet there is no sight of the car as assured by the government,” said Mr Mohd Imran, a beneficiary who stays at Mehdipatnam.

“I stay in a rented house and have three daughters. Sometimes I feel I made a mistake. Rs 50,000 is a big amount for a poor man like me,” said Mr Imran. 

Mr Muqeed Ahmed, who had also applied for the assistance, said that the TSMFC officials themselves had no idea when the cars would be handed over to the beneficiaries. “We make rounds of the TSMFC office and no one gives a satisfactory reply. All they say is you will get it soon,” he said.

Most of those who had applied for the cabs hail from the BPL families. At present, they are doing odd jobs. “We hoped that soon we would be getting a car soon. But the officials are dragging the issue. When they do not have any money why are they announcing the schemes,” he lamented.

When contacted, corporation vice-chairman and managing director Mohd Abdul Waheed said the file was pending with the finance department at the Secretariat.

“We have speeded up the process. The moment the money is released and vehicle can be handed over the drivers,” he said. He added that a total of Rs 15.39 crore was to be released for the scheme by the finance department.