In Modi seat, BJP offers financial aid to boatmen, rickshawpullers for repair

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“The registration process will conclude on April 20 and from April 21 onwards distribution of financial help as per the intended beneficiary’s requirement will begin,” said Sanjay Bhardwaj, BJP’s media in-charge for Kashi region.

Bhardwaj said that the scheme has been started in Varanasi only because it is Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wants that every poor and needy should be empowered and made self-sustainable.

Bhardwaj said a maximum amount of Rs 10,000 would be given to boatmen, upto Rs 5,000 to rickshaw pullers and Rs 2,000 to cart pullers. “They can use the money to repair boats, paint it or fix better quality seats. There are several hundred boatmen in Varanasi who survive by ferrying tourists to various ghats,” Bhardwaj said. Most boatmen in Varanasi belong to Nishad community, a backward caste.

To avail the scheme’s benefits, the BJP has put a condition that boats, rickshaws and carts must be registered with Varanasi Municipal Corporation.