PANAJI
Months after the launch of a 'Pink Force' to specifical crack down on crimes against women, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday announced that the State, in a first, would soon see the introduction of women auto-rickshaw drivers as part of a 'Pink Rickshaw' initiative launched in partnership with the Rotary Club.
Speaking to reporters at the chief minister's official residence, Sawant also said that 17 women drivers would be a part of the maiden initiative, which was aimed at providing self-employment for women drivers.
"Just like the Pink Force, there is the Pink Rickshaw project which the Rotary club is undertaking with the help of the Goa government's EDC (Economic Development Corporation). Seventeen women are being trained," Sawant said.
The Pink Force, a fleet of police personnel dedicated to curbing crimes against women, was launched some months back by the Goa government.
Sawant said that the EDC would help subsidise loans for women drivers keen on signing up for the force while adding that the training for women auto-rickshaw drivers would be provided by the Rotary Club.
"The Pink Rickshaws can be taken on loan via CMRY (Chief Minister's Rozgar Yojana) and sponsorship via Rotary club, which will also conduct training. Those Pink Rickshaws will also be seen on the streets of Goa," the Chief Minister said.
"Pink Rickshaws are for self-employed women who come forward to drive rickshaws. They will get rickshaws on subsidy via EDC," he added.
