The Punjab chief minister’s e-taxi scheme has failed to achieve its set targets after several beneficiaries reportedly kept the vehicles for domestic use instead of operating them as taxis.
The Transport Department has decided to check beneficiaries who received vehicles under the scheme, while action will be taken against those using e-taxis for personal purposes only.
According to sources, vehicles provided under the e-taxi scheme for taxi services are largely missing from the roads.
The scheme was launched to provide environment-friendly taxi services and create employment opportunities, but officials say the dream of generating jobs through e-taxis remains unfulfilled.
Sources said some buyers also removed the print and design approved by the Punjab government from the e-taxis.
Transport Dept to inspect beneficiaries
The Punjab Transport Department has decided to check people who obtained vehicles under the e-taxi scheme.
Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan said the government has a complete record of those who received e-taxis. He warned that vehicles would be confiscated from those who took e-taxis and parked them at home instead of using them for taxi services.
Khan said the vehicles were provided to ensure the availability of environment-friendly taxi services across Punjab. He made it clear that strict action would be taken against those using e-taxis only for domestic use or personal pleasure instead of providing taxi services.
“There will be definite action against those who use e-taxis only for pleasure,” he said.
Punjab govt gave Rs4bn subsidy
According to sources, the Punjab government provided a subsidy of Rs4 billion for the e-taxi service.
Under the scheme, 1,100 e-taxis were provided on easy, interest-free installments. In the pilot project, 700 e-taxis were distributed at the individual level, while 400 were given to fleet owners.
Documents showed that the Transport Department received 22,882 applications for the e-taxi scheme. Of these, 154 applications were submitted by fleet owners, while 22,728 individuals applied separately for e-taxis.
Officials say the department will now review the use of vehicles to ensure they are being operated for the purpose for which they were provided.
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