TN grants Rs 1.49 cr subsidy to unemployed

Chennai, Jun 17 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government today granted a subsidy of Rs 1.49 crore to help unemployed youths to purchase autorickshaws.

Transport Minister K N Nehru gave cheques to eight banks, amounting to Rs 1.49 crore towards subsidy to benefit 402 unemployed men and women, who were given auto permits in the city.

Under the scheme, the unemployed men and women, who have studied upto tenth standard and had an annuanl income not exceeding Rs 36,000, were given a subsidy of 25 per cent of the total cost of the vehicle or Rs 25,000, whichever was less.

The government had set apart Rs 12.5 crore for the subsidy and so far 565 people were benefitted by the scheme. They were given a total subsidy of Rs 1.41 crore, an official release here said.

As the Supreme Court had said nine metros should be pollution free, the government insisted that those who got subsidy should purchase LPG operated autorickshaws. About 5,000 autorickshaws would be given under the scheme, the release added.

UNI WS DS SW RK1525