Karnataka government shortly implement new welfare scheme for Taxi drivers

Addressing members at the District Taxi drivers organisation conference in the city, Kharge assured that coalition government in the state would plan elfare schemes for hard working Taxi drivers in the state and directed the department officials resolve any difference between management and driver-owners of OLA and Uber taxies.

Mr Kharge also announced Rs 3 crore for construction of district Taxi drivers bhavan in the city and also assured the land for the building.

He said that in the Karnataka government 's Airavata scheme, in the first phase, the department has signed a memorandum of understanding with Uber under which the government will provide a financial grant of Rs 5 lakh each to identified beneficiaries from the SC/ST community. Uber will be assisting the
Karnataka Government in identifying eligible candidates from the SC/ST community from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru Kalaburagi and Hubballi cities in Karnataka, especially in semi-urban areas, and encourage them to take advantage of this scheme.

“This is a bold step, and a first-of-its-kind programme. There cannot be development without job creation and I hope this Airavata acts as a catalyst in Karnataka’s growth story, and I hope more partners like Uber join us as we take development to every part of the state,” Kharge said.

Airavata Scheme, a first of its kind scheme targeted especially at the young men and women of SC/ST communities, the scheme will provide training, mentoring, financial assistance and industry partnerships. Overall, the government is looking to invest over Rs.225 crore in the scheme, which will ensure job creation and economic development, he said.