Happiness knew no bounds for fifty eight-year-old Mohd. Bilal Shareef, an auto-rickshaw driver from Yousufguda, when he got an autorickshaw from the Telangana State Minorities Finance Corporation (TSMFC) on Sunday. Bilal has been driving a rented autorickshaws for the last 25 years as he could not afford to own one.
Thanks to the ‘Own Your Autorickshaw’ scheme introduced by the TSMFC recently, around 1,800 drivers are being provided autos under the bankable scheme. “It was a long cherished dream to own an autorickshaw. But all through my life, I could not afford to due to various reasons. I am relieved now, at least now I can save some money for my yore years,” he said.
Dressed in his festive best, Bilal along with his family attended a function held at Haj House at Nampally, where he was handed over the vehicle keys by Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali. A total of 510 autorickshaws running on LPG or CNG were given on Sunday, while the remaining will be provided in the next two weeks to the beneficiaries.
The corporation is providing a 50 per cent subsidy that works to be around 72,000, and 10 per cent is being pooled in by the vehicle owner. The remaining 40 per cent component is arranged through the banks.
Mr. Mahmood Ali, who flagged off the new autorickshaws, said that the State government is committed to the welfare of minorities. “Minorities’ welfare is also a priority of the government and many schemes are being introduced to develop the community, educationally as well as economically. We will bring them on par with other communities in the State on all fronts,” he said.
A.K. Khan, Director General, Anti-Corruption Bureau, asked people to inform the ACB if at all they notice any irregularities or corruption in any scheme being implemented by the Minority Welfare Department.
