PANAJI
The government on Monday unveiled a welfare package for the State's motorcycle taxi pilots, announcing a 50 per cent subsidy on electric bikes, insurance coverage under the PM Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and extending the Dayanand Samajik Suraksha Yojana to pilots aged 50 and above.
Launching the new Majhe Driver App exclusively for the traditional pilots, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the government will extend the electric bike support plan to provide a 50 per cent subsidy for its purchase.
“The subsidy will be available to traditional motorcycle taxi pilots using old bikes and registered with the association. Beneficiaries will be selected based on seniority. The government is also working on a mechanism that could allow pilots to pay their share of the cost in instalments,” he said.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said the revised EV scheme for heavier electric motorcycles would remain voluntary and pilots could opt for it if they found it beneficial.
Meanwhile, Sawant also announced that motorcycle taxi pilots would, in the long run, be covered under the PM Ayushman insurance scheme through the Directorate of Transport by paying an annual premium of Rs 260.
In a separate welfare measure, the CM said the Dayanand Samajik Suraksha Yojana would be extended from August 1 to all the pilots who have completed 50 years of age. Eligible beneficiaries will receive Rs 2,000 every month after submitting the application to the government.
The announcements were made at the launch of the App, the State's first organised digital booking platform exclusively for motorcycle taxis.
Sawant sought to dispel concerns surrounding the initiative, repeatedly stating that joining the app would be entirely voluntary.
"Those who wish to participate can do so, while others may continue operating from their taxi stands," he said, adding that attempts to politicise the initiative were creating unnecessary confusion.
The CM said pilots who do not own smartphones would be provided free devices by the company behind the app to ensure that no eligible operator is excluded from the digital platform.
Describing motorcycle taxi pilots as “tourist ambassadors”, Sawant said they had earned the confidence of both tourists and local families by providing reliable transport services across the State, including in remote areas.
He also announced a crackdown on unauthorised operators, saying private motorcycles would no longer be permitted to ferry passengers commercially.
"The Police and the Transport Department will take action against violators. Vehicles operating illegally as motorcycle taxis will be seized," he said, adding that a grievance redressal mechanism would also be introduced to address complaints.
Sawant further indicated that the government would revisit issues concerning rental cars and rent-a-bike services, saying new registrations of rental vehicles had already been stopped as part of efforts to protect the livelihood of traditional motorcycle pilots.
