Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government is set to launch “Ama Subahaka Yojana” to empower women with entrepreneurial opportunities in the transportation sector by providing financial support to purchase four-wheeler taxis.
Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena on Tuesday informed that the scheme, tailored for women aged 21 to 40 years with an annual family income of up to Rs 3 lakh, proposed by his department has got the go ahead from the state government.
Under this scheme, 1,100 beneficiaries will receive interest-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh each for the purchase of four-wheeler taxis, while driving gender equality, economic independence, and ensure safer mobility options for women. The loan will be repayable in five years with the state government bearing the interest burden at an annual rate of 11 per cent, he said.
Stating that it is an extension of the Su Vahak initiative launched in December 2023, the minister further noted that the scheme aims to help over 6,000 women trained at the four driving institutes in the state achieve financial independence over the next four financial years. “The initiative will be rolled out in phases, with 200 women benefitting in the first year, 250 in the second, 300 in the third, and 350 in the fourth,” he said, adding that priority will be given to women already engaged in driving govt buses, members of women self-help groups, and Subhadra beneficiaries.
To promote eco-friendly transport, women opting for electric vehicles (EVs) will receive a Rs 2 lakh incentive in line with the Odisha EV policy, along with exemptions from road tax and registration fees, he added.
The estimated financial commitment for this initiative may be about Rs 46.66 crore, which is likely to be drawn from the budgetary allocations under the Mukhyamantri Sadak Surakshya Bhittibhumi Unnayana Yojana, currently being implemented by the department.