- Odisha government to introduce a new scheme to empower women in the driving line of work
- The scheme is provisionally titled 'Atmanirbhar Mahila Su Vahak' (Ama Su Vahak)
- The scheme has the objective of providing women with entrepreneurial opportunities in the transportation sector
Odisha state government is to start a new scheme to empower women in the driving profession. Intending to work on the tentative name 'Atmanirbhar Mahila Su Vahak' (Ama Su Vahak), the scheme is aimed at providing entrepreneurial opportunities to women working in the transport sector.
Under the scheme, women would be eligible for interest-free loans of up to ₹10 lakh to purchase four-wheeler taxis, thus enabling them to earn a sustainable source of income.
"The scheme is meant to enhance gender equity, economic empowerment, and safe mobility among women," a top transport official stated.
The proposed Ama Su Vahak programme is an extension of the December 2023-launched Su Vahak programme, under which driver efficiency was to be raised and accidents caused by untrained drivers were to be reduced.
While the earlier scheme was open to both women and men, the new one is for women alone. At least 30 women have already been trained under the first Su Vahak scheme.
In the next four financial years, the government will develop a chain of 1,100 women mobility entrepreneurs through phased implementation — 200 in the first year, 250 in the second, 300 in the third, and 350 in the fourth. The estimated financial expenditure for the programme would be approximately ₹46.66 crore.
The participants will be given free driving training, personal grooming, road safety driving practices, customer care, and vehicle maintenance.
The participants will also be given an added incentive of ₹2 lakh for the purchase of electric taxis in accordance with the Odisha Electric Vehicle Policy, together with waivers from road tax and registration charges.
Shortlisted applicants should be women between 21–40 years of age, having a family income of ₹3 lakh per annum and a valid driving license, and successfully passing skill enhancement training at an Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR).
Preference will be shown to working women presently driving government buses, women self-help group members, and Subhadra beneficiaries.
