Launched on 1st June 2021 by the Transport, Roads, and Buildings Department, the YSR Vahana Mitra scheme is designed to support financially weak auto/taxi drivers in Andhra Pradesh. The scheme aims to increase the income and reduce the expenses of self-owned vehicle drivers by providing an annual financial assistance of ₹10,000 for expenditures such as insurance, fitness certificates, repairs, and other essential requirements.
Benefits
- Financial Assistance: ₹10,000 per annum to offset maintenance costs.
- Direct Payment: Funds are disbursed directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through Bank Transfer or AePS.
- Expense Relief: Helps reduce out-of-pocket expenses on insurance, repairs, and periodic vehicle fitness requirements.
Eligibility
To qualify for the scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Ownership & Operation: The applicant must both own and drive an Auto Rickshaw, Taxi, or Maxi Cab.
- Valid Driving License: Must hold a valid driving license for an Auto Rickshaw or Light Motor Vehicle.
- Single Vehicle Per Family: Only one vehicle per family (defined as Husband, Wife, and minor children) is eligible.
- Vehicle Possession: The vehicle must be in the owner’s possession.
- Bank Account: The bank account used for receiving payments must be in the owner’s name (the account can be with any scheduled commercial bank).
- Exclusions:
- The applicant must not be a beneficiary under any other GoAP scheme for occupational groups.
- Neither the applicant nor family members should be government employees or pensioners (except families of sanitary workers).
- The applicant and family must not be income tax payers.
- Additional eligibility criteria relate to residential electricity consumption, landholding limits, property size in municipal areas, and GSTN status.
- Interstate Restrictions: Only domiciles of Andhra Pradesh can apply; for those with driving licenses issued by other states, a change of address is required at the concerned RTO.
Application Process
Online Application Steps
- Login Authentication:
- Visit the Citizen Schemes Portal and log in using Aadhaar-tagged mobile OTP authentication.
- Scheme Selection:
- On the “Citizen Scheme Application” page, select “YSR Vahana Mitra” from the schemes dropdown and click “Submit”.
- Forwarding:
- Applications are forwarded to the Welfare and Education Assistant (WEA) or Ward Welfare and Development Secretary (WWDS).
- Field Verification:
- Volunteers/WEAs/WWDS conduct field verification, perform eKYC, and forward recommendations to the Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) or Municipal Commissioner (MC).
- MPDO/MC Review:
- MPDOs/MCs review applications and make further recommendations after conducting field verification.
- Publication of Lists:
- Provisional eligible and reverification lists (with reasons for ineligibility) are published in all secretariats.
- Grievance Redressal:
- Citizens on the reverification list can raise grievances if they believe the ineligibility reasons are incorrect.
- Final List:
- The final list of eligible and ineligible beneficiaries is published.
- Disbursement:
- Eligible beneficiaries receive the scheme benefit via AePS, and receipt of payment is confirmed using eKYC (biometric authentication).
- Tracking:
- Beneficiaries can track the status of their application through the “Track Application Status” option on the Citizen Schemes Portal.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Number (for self and family members—spouse and minor children)
- Valid Driving License (for driving an auto rickshaw or light motor vehicle)
- BPL/White Ration Card / Annapurna Card / Antyodaya Card
- Vehicle Documents: Registration Certificate, tax records (in case of LT cabs)
- Bank Account Details: Account number, bank name, branch, and IFSC Code
- Vehicle Photo: A current photograph of the vehicle along with the beneficiary
- Proof of Address / Residential Certificate
- Ownership Documents: Certification of ownership and declaration as the owner-cum-driver
- Caste Certificate (if applicable, issued by a competent authority)
- Additional Documents: As prescribed for verifying income, land holding/residential property, electricity consumption, four-wheeler possession, income tax status, etc.
Note: Electricity usage data will be validated by the WEA/WWDS with the concerned beneficiary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When was the “YSR Vahana Mitra” scheme launched?
A1: The scheme was launched on 1st June 2021.
Q2: Which department manages this scheme?
A2: The scheme is managed by the Transport, Roads, and Buildings Department of Andhra Pradesh.
Q3: What is the maximum financial assistance provided under this scheme?
A3: Beneficiaries receive ₹10,000 per annum.
Q4: For what purposes is the financial assistance utilized?
A4: The assistance is used for expenses such as insurance, obtaining fitness certificates, repairs, and other maintenance requirements.
Q5: Is it mandatory for the applicant to own a vehicle?
A5: Yes, the applicant must own and drive an auto rickshaw, taxi, or maxi cab.
Q6: What is the objective of the scheme?
A6: The objective is to increase the income of self-owned vehicle drivers and reduce their repair and maintenance expenses.
Q7: How is the payment disbursed?
A7: Payments are disbursed through the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) or via bank transfer.
Q8: Where can I find the scheme guidelines and application form?
A8: Links to the guidelines, application form, and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) are available on the Citizen Schemes Portal.
Q9: Is the assistance provided as a lump sum or in installments?
A9: The assistance is provided as an annual lump sum.
Q10: What does AePS stand for?
A10: AePS stands for Aadhaar Enabled Payment System.
Q11: Can I apply if one of my family members is an income tax payee?
A11: No, neither the applicant nor family members should be income tax payers.
Q12: Can different persons on the same white ration card apply?
A12: Ownership and licenses of different persons on the same white ration card are allowed, but only one beneficiary per family (defined as husband, wife, and minor children) is eligible.
Q13: What if the driving license is in the name of the major son but the vehicle is owned by the father/mother/daughter/brother?
A13: In such cases, the registered owner (father/mother/daughter/brother) is eligible to receive the benefit, even if the driving license is under the major son’s name.
Q14: What if my driving license is issued by another state?
A14: You must apply for a change of address at the concerned RTO based on your current place of residence.
Q15: How will my electricity usage data be verified?
A15: The WEA/WWDS will validate the electricity usage data displayed in the system with the beneficiary’s actual data.