133 Christians selected for Driver Empowerment Programme

Nampally: The Minorities Welfare Department under the State Government will be distributing 133 cars, as part of 'Driver Empowerment Programme' to the selected candidates from Christian community, by the Telangana State Christian (Minorities) Finance Corporation (TSCFC).

Minister for Minority Welfare, Scheduled Castes Development, Disabled Welfare & Senior Citizens Welfare, Koppula Eshwar will be chief guest of the programme to be held at Tourism Plaza in Begumpet on Saturday.

According to officials, 133 candidates from across the State were selected from a total of 317 applications from the community members. Maruti Swift Dzire, Tour-S vehicles, will be distributed to each of the candidates as part of empowering SC, ST, BC, minority drivers in collaboration with Maruti Motors, Uber cab service provider, SBI and departments concerned. "For the year 2018-19, 317 number of applications have been registered online from Christian minorities. These drivers and vehicles would be attached to Uber services, which is providing employment," informed the officials.

This would be the first time TSCFC would be facilitating the scheme, especially for the members of the Christian community. Earlier in November, the Telangana State Minorities Finance Corporation (TSMFC) kick started the second round of 'Driver Empowerment Programme' and invited applications from the eligible drivers.

For availing this scheme, the applicant must have a minimum qualification of 8th pass, but SSC pass/fail will be given preference for eligibility and the age limit of the applicant should be between 21 to 40 years. Whereas the applicant should have valid LMV Transport licence issued by RTA and a transport badge which is optional. The applicant should be interested to work with Uber in Hyderabad. The applicant household annual income should be less than Rs 1.5 lakh (Rural) and Rs 2 lakh (urban).

Under this empowerment programme, the applicant will undergo a certification course that includes session on road safety, vehicle maintenance, driver etiquette and using technology for better customer experience. It provides financial assistance to select applicants for vehicle purchase and help them become independent driver cum owner. It is also providing the applicants with an assured livelihood opportunity by signing them up with the technology platform, Uber as a driver partner.