In the first step towards initiating the ‘She’ taxi scheme, the Road Transport Authority (RTA) has enrolled 14 women in a 10-day fresher training session to teach them to drive on city roads. The candidates who have been enrolled will also be given subsidies on cars the Telangana State government will provide them, said officials.
“Of the 14 women, four have transport licences, while the rest have non-transport ones. After the training session is done, they will also get their transport licences soon,” said a senior RTA official, not willing to be quoted. He further mentioned that the course was being provided by the automobile company Maruti to the candidates, and that all of those undergoing training have more than one year of experience driving on roads.
The RTA will also soon decide which car the women drivers will be provided, as officials are considering some models which are maintenance-free. “We are also looking at a budget of Rs. 7 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh, and a car which is easy to drive as well. Vehicles like the Maruti Ritz and Swift are also being considered,” he informed.
The senior official said that the plan initially was to launch the scheme on Republic Day by handing out the initial few vehicles to candidates. “But now that the event’s duration has been reduced, it may not be done. So we do not know when the cars will be handed out to the women drivers,” he stated.
In total, 57 women candidates had approached the RTA after it called for applications calling women drivers interested in becoming taxi drivers. With only 14 clearing the criteria to get enrolled in the scheme, the RTA is mulling over options to provide the others training as well. The department, along with the Women Development and Child Welfare Department is working out the modalities, said the senior official.
IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT
Telangana government to give subsidies on cars to candidates who have been enrolled for driving course
All of those undergoing training have more than one year of experience driving on roads
Officials are considering car models which are maintenance-free and in the price range of Rs. 7 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh
57 persons had approached the RTA after it called for applications from women interested in becoming taxi drivers
RTA, along with the Women Development and Child Welfare Department, is working out the modalities
