Delhi govt to offer 1,300 pink e-autos to empower women, transgender persons

The Delhi government on Monday launched a dedicated portal for the DURGA e-auto scheme, under which women and transgender persons will get an opportunity to own and drive electric autos and earn a livelihood.Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said 1,300 pink e-autos will be allotted in the first phase. She said 1,170 have been earmarked for women and 130 for transgender persons, with a district-wise cap of 90 e-autos for women and 10 for transgender persons in each revenue district.The scheme, called Driving, Upliftment and Rozgar for Women/Transgender E-Auto (DURGA), was recently launched by the government. Through the initiative, the government aims to create self-employment opportunities for the targeted groups and increase their participation in public transport, Gupta said.Under the eligibility criteria, women applicants must be between 20 and 40 years of age and residents of Delhi. They must hold a valid Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving licence and a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge. "The annual family income must not exceed Rs 5 lakh, and the prescribed condition relating to a maximum of three living children will also apply. Transgender applicants must also meet the specified age and Delhi residency requirements and hold a valid driving licence and PSV badge," Gupta said in a statement.The application process will remain open for three months. Gupta said that if the number of eligible applications received in a district is higher than its prescribed quota when the portal closes, allotments will be made through an online lottery. The portal launch marks the start of applications for the DURGA e-auto scheme, under which 1,300 pink e-autos will be allotted in the first phase to eligible women and transgender applicants in Delhi.- EndsWith PTI inputs