Applicants for vehicle aid from TS Minority Finance Corporation in a dilemma

Nampally: With November 15 set as the last date for online registrations for 'Driver Empowerment Programme' by TS Minority Finance Corporation (TSMFC), aspirants have found themselves in a tight spot, as most of them are unable to get the income certificate from MRO offices, owing to 'work stoppage' following the murder of Tahsildar Vijaya Reddy. The candidates who are keen to apply for this scheme have demanded that the corporation should either extend the last date or provide exemption of income certificate, so that they can apply easily.

A cab driver and aspirant of the State government scheme, Asghar Hussain, with cab driving experience of 8 years and hailing from Yousufguda, was happy after he came to know about the 'Driver Empowerment Programme'. He gathered all required documents but income certificate for which he had to visit local MRO office. To his discomfiture, he has been making rounds to the office, ever since the scheme's second phase was announced on November 2.

"We demand that the Minority Finance Corporation extend the date for another 15 days, as aspirants are unable to get income certificates owing to work stoppage at MRO offices," said, Mir Inayat Ali, an activist. While welcoming the State governemnt scheme, another activist, Talha Kaseri said that conditions for applications should be conducive. "Not only work was held up at MRO offices, there are also some technical issues in submitting applications online," he noted.

It may be mentioned here that TSMFC announced the second round of 'Driver Empowerment Programme' by inviting applications from the eligible drivers from Minority community from November 3. Eligible drivers are provided with financial assistance for purchase of Maruti Swift Dzire or Tour-S vehicle under this scheme, in collaboration with Maruti Suzuki and Uber Cabs and participating banks.

KEY OBJECTIVES OF PROGRAMME

1. Enhance the skill set of youth interested in or employed in the driving profession, applicants will undergo a certification course
2. It includes session on road safety vehicle maintenance, driver etiquette and using technology for better customer experience
3. Provide financial assistance to select applicants for vehicle purchase and help them to become independent Driver Cum Owner
4. Provide the applicants with an assured livelihood opportunity by signing them up with the technology platform, Uber as a Driver partner

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. Candidates should belong to Minority community viz: Muslims, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis & Sikhs
2. Annual family income should be below `1.50 Lakh in Rural areas and Rs 2.00 Lakhs in Urban areas.
3. Minimum qualification is 8th pass, but SSC pass/fail will be given preference

Age limit 21 to 40 years

1. Applicant should have valid LMV license issued by RTA on or before 31/12/2015
2. Preference shall be given to the candidates having LMV license with transport badge
3. The applicant should be interested to work with Uber in Hyderabad