Arvind Kejriwal to give Rs 15,000 cheques to e-rickshaw owners on February 17

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will address a rally of e-rickshaw drivers at Ramlila Maidan on February 17 and distribute subsidy cheques of Rs 15,000 each among them.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai said 4,600 drivers have registered their e-rickshaws with the transport department and, as per the government's scheme, they will be given subsidy of Rs 15,000 each.

Rai had in May announced that the AAP government would provide the subsidy payment to e-rickshaw owners upon registration of their vehicle with the transport department.

"The chief minister will distribute subsidy cheques among those who have registered their e-rickshaws with the transport department," Rai told reporters here.

A senior government official said that the government has also decided to provide financial help to those drivers who have not retro-fitted their old vehicles as per the requirement.

"Government has also decided to give Rs 30,000 to 35,000 as financial assistance to the drivers of e-rickshaw who have not retro-fitted their old vehicles due to expenses of retro- fitting," the official said.

The minister said that camps will be organised by all regional authorities for e-rickshaw drivers in March so that they can get their vehicles registered with the transport department by the last date for registration on March 31.