The Delhi Cabinet on Friday approved a one-time financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to all individuals holding the ‘Public Service Badge’ (PSB) of paratransit vehicles and permit holders of paratransit public service vehicles in the wake of the second wave of the pandemic and the extension of the curfew announced by the Delhi Government.

“In 2020, Rs 78 crore was given as financial assistance to more than 1,56,350 auto and taxi drivers. Beneficiaries of the 2020 scheme need not reapply but the Rs 5,000 will be directly transferred to their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, subject to verification of deaths from local bodies,” the Government said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on May 4 announced that a one-time financial assistance of Rs 5,000 would be provided to the PSV badge and permit holders of paratransit vehicles i.e. autorickshaws, e-rickshaws, taxis, Phatphat Sewa, Eco-friendly Sewa, Gramin Sewa and maxi cabs. Delhi currently has over 2.80 lakh PSV badge holders and 1.90 lakh permit holders who are eligible to apply for the scheme. The Delhi Transport Department has already made necessary budgetary provisions for the same. The validity of documents including the PSV badge, permit, driving licence of all public service vehicles has been extended periodically since March 2020, as per the orders of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot in a statement said: “The Delhi Government is doing everything it can to ensure that the implications of a lockdown, especially among the daily wage labourers, including auto/ taxi drivers, are kept to a minimum. I request everyone who is eligible to avail of this assistance.”