The much awaited rural bus service scheme is likely to get some more time in execution here in the district as the beneficiaries who have been linked up with the project are not agreeing to pay the margin money, which is mandatory for taking up the project as per the Standup India scheme clause.
Recently, the district administration had come up with 12 routes under rural bus service scheme here identified by the panchayat mukhiyas, block representatives including officer-in-charges (OCs) of the respective police stations.
“Maximum work under this ambitious project has been completed. The stakeholders who have been associated with the project are being convinced to make the initial payment. We have conducted meeting with the stakeholders who have applied for it. According to the rules, before taking up the project, it is mandatory to pay 15 per cent margin amount,” said District Transportation Officer (DTO), Nagendra Paswan.
As many as 16 people from Ranchi District have applied to take up the rural bus service project. “As soon as the payment will be made by the stakeholders, the project will be started here without a delay. From clearing all documentation works to getting approval from the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), the project has been materialized from all level. Constant efforts are being put start the service at the earliest,” the DTO further added.
In an attempt to generate employment, out of 12 identified routes, notification for nine routes have been already issued to the transport department. By far, covering five blocks of the State Capital, 12 routes have been identified. In Ratu block three routes have been identified while in Silli five routes have been given clearance. Both at Nagri, Burmu, one route has been demarcated whereas at Ormanjhi, two bus routes have been identified considering the State Highways (SH) and National Highways (NH) norms.
Under the aegis of Standup India scheme, the beneficiaries are entitled to get loan up till Rs. 1 crore starting from Rs 10 lakh of which the 15 per cent margin amount is to be paid by the stakeholders.
The ambitious scheme also allows special benefits for women, Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) for taking up the project. The State government has already waived off the road tax. Also, permits will be issued only at Re. 1 for five years.
As per the guidelines, the rural bus service will be operational up to 30 years once the procurement process gets complete. An individual will have to expend nearly Rs 18 lakh for purchasing one bus.