Auto rickshaw, taxi and maxi cab drivers of the state were impacted most by the Covid-19 lock-down. The government came up with financial assistance for them under the Karnataka Driver Scheme.
The Karnataka Driver Scheme was a Covid-19 scheme launched by the Karnataka government to financially aid all auto and taxi cab drivers of the state who had been affected by the Covid-19 lockdown. During the start of the lockdown in 2020, it was the unorganised sector that was impacted the most. With the lockdown in place, the daily commute requirement of the public became null. Consequently, the public transport system, including taxis, cabs and auto-rickshaws, took a major hit. It was to financially assist these people that the Karnataka Driver Scheme was launched.
Karnataka Driver Scheme (Phase 1: 2020-2021)
In May 2020, under the #BSYForPoor campaign, the then BS Yediyurappa Government announced multiple Covid-10 relief schemes for workers in the unorganised sector across the state. The Driver Scheme was part of this relief fund package of ₹ 1,610 crores, which was announced to aid blue-collar workers of the state of Karnataka, such as barbers, tailors, porters, potters, washermen, goldsmiths, mechanics, blacksmiths, ragpickers, household workers, cobblers, who had been impacted financially by the Covid-19 lockdown.
After the launch of the Karnataka Driver Scheme in 2020, auto and taxi cab drivers of the state of Karnataka were assisted with a one-time grant of ₹ 5000. All drivers residing in Karnataka, whose incomes had taken a hit, or those who had completely lost their livelihoods, given the long-drawn lockdown, could take advantage of the scheme. In the first wave of the lockdown in 2020, the transport department of Karnataka received 2.45 lakh applications under the scheme. Out of them, 2.16 lakh applications were processed and money was transferred to the respective bank accounts of the applicants.
Karnataka Driver Scheme (Phase 2: 2021-2022)
The scheme was again relaunched next year in 2021, and applicants were assisted with a grant of Rs 3,000 which was again a part of the 1,250 crore financial assistance package announced by the state government towards Covid-19 relief. In 2021-2022, the government also included maxi-cab drivers in the list of beneficiaries. Thus the government expected close to 3 lakh applicants. However, since the government employed the one-driver-one-vehicle policy, a lot of drivers who drive autos and cabs on rent could not take advantage of the scheme.
Eligibility Criteria for Karnataka Driver Scheme
- Candidates must have been a citizen of Karnataka.
- Candidates must have a valid driving license.
- Candidates must have been the owner or driver of the Auto Rickshaw, Taxi or Cab.
Essential Documents for Karnataka Driver Scheme
Applicants need the following documents to submit the application form under this scheme to get the benefits:
- Aadhar Card (Learn about Aadhar card application process)
- Passport size photo
- Registered Transport Driver Proof
- Residence certificate
- Vehicle Registration Certificate and Applicant’s Driving License
- Voter ID Card.
Drivers from the state had the option of applying for grant assistance through the government of Karnataka’s Seva Sindhu portal.
Other Covid-19 Relief Schemes in Karnataka
In addition to the Driver Scheme, the Karnataka government also announced financial aid of ₹ 2,000 to workers in the unorganised sector. ₹ 10,000 per hectare was announced for farmers as well. Around 69,000 farmers benefitted from the decision. amounting to ₹ 69 crores. Unorganised sector workers like ragpickers, potters, barbers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, household workers, mechanics, washermen, tailors, porters, and cobblers, among others, were also given ₹ 3,000 each, thereby benefiting 3.04 lakh of them. The scheme cost ₹ 60.89 crores.
Roadside vendors registered under Aatma Nirbhar Package were given ₹ 2,000 each, benefitting about 2.20 lakh people, which cost the state exchequer ₹ 44 crores. Also, artists and art teams were given ₹ 3,000 each, benefiting 16,095 beneficiaries, amounting to ₹ 4.82 crores.
Conclusion
Karnataka, in 2021, was one of the worst-affected states in the country, with 4.62 lakhs of Covid-19 deaths in just 8 months. Even though the one-time financial assistance wasn’t enough to resurrect their livelihoods, the schemes launched by the government brought much-needed relief to the blue-collar workforce of the state.
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FAQs
Who was eligible for the Karnataka Driver Scheme grant?
Any resident of Karnataka, who is a driver and owns/drives a taxi, maxi cab or auto-rikshaw, and has been impacted financially by the Covid-19 lockdown was eligible to apply for the grant in 2020 and 2021.
What was the amount of financial assistance under this scheme?
In 2020, drivers were helped with a one-time grant of ₹ 5,000, while in 2021, the grant was ₹ 3,000.
What was the process of application?
Applicants could apply by filling up a form available on the Seva Sindhu portal, by giving details such as Name, Vehicle Registration Number and Aadhar Number. Once the application was successfully processed, beneficiaries could claim the grant from the same portal. If the application was rejected, it could have been due to insufficient submission of documents or misinformation. Vakilsearch is your one-stop solution for such legal issues.
