From Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 6: The first batch of 70 cars under the unique self-employment scheme `Airavata’ for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe youth were flagged off by Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge at the VidhanaSoudha premises on Friday.

The beneficiaries of the Airavata scheme, selected by Social Welfare Department were distributed allotment letters by the minister on the occasion.

The scheme, introduced by the State Social Welfare Department aims at providing employment to SC/ST youth in the state.

The State Government has partnered with service providers and aggregators and provides ownership of cabs and taxis to the youth are in need of employment. The first-of-its-kind self-employment scheme has been launched by the Social Welfare Department in association with Uber.

A total of 70 beneficiaries were provided the sanction letter by Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the scheme has been launched with the intention of providing a secure livelihood to the youth from marginalised communities. He advised them to keep up the state’s honour and treat everyone with respect.

The Government of Karnataka has tied up with cab aggregator Uber and will be providing a financial grant of Rs 5 Lakh to the selected beneficiaries from the SC/ST community. The beneficiaries will be trained by Uber and provided entrepreneurial access.

Chairperson of Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Board Basanagouda Daddal, Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Ahinav Gupta, Senior Operations and Logistics Manager, Uber and others were present on the occasion.