Maharashtra Plans to Double Pink E-Rickshaw Subsidy for Women

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has proposed to double the subsidy under its Pink E-Rickshaw Scheme for women from 20 per cent to 40 per cent, officials said on Tuesday. Women who have already purchased e-rickshaws under the programme too will get benefit of this increase, an official release said. Under the revised norms, beneficiaries will now contribute 60 per cent of the vehicle cost, including a minimum 10 per cent as their own contribution, while the remaining 50 per cent can be financed either through an interest-free partial deferred payment facility offered by the supplier or through bank loans. The government has also decided to expand the scheme beyond the existing eight districts and authorised the Women and Child Development Minister to reallocate district-wise beneficiary targets. Subsidies will be disbursed through the office of the Commissioner, Women and Child Development, Pune. The cabinet also authorised the Women and Child Development Minister to make necessary changes in the scheme during implementation to address operational issues. The revised scheme is intended to strengthen women's economic empowerment by encouraging entrepreneurship and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, the release said.