New Delhi, March 11 (IANS): Parliament approved the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2015 with the Rajya Sabha passing it on Wednesday. The Lok Sabha passed the bill last week.
The bill that replaces an ordinance aims at bringing e-rickshaws and e-carts under the ambit of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1957 so that they can ply on roads across the country.
Replying to a brief discussion in the Rajya Sabha, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said this bill will benefit the poor.
"Over one crore people are plying cycle rickshaws and carts in the country," Gadkari said.
The minister also said efforts will be made to provide loans at three to four percent interest to people belonging to SCs, STs and OBC for buying e-rickshaws. Women and the physically handicapped will be given driving licences for these.