Context
- The Delhi Cabinet recently approved the ‘DURGA’ scheme to allocate electric autos exclusively to women and transgender persons.
About the ‘DURGA’ scheme
- DURGA stands for Driving Upliftment and Rozgar for Women/Transgender Green E-Auto scheme.
- It aims to create self-employment opportunities among woman and transgender person and increase their participation in the transport sector and promote clean urban mobility.
How will the ‘DURGA’ scheme work?
- Total: 1,300 pink e-autos will be given in the first phase.
- Women: 1,170 e-autos will be allocated.
- Transgender persons: 130 e-autos will be allocated.
- In each revenue district: Up to 90 e-autos for women + 10 for transgender persons can be allocated.
Who can apply for the ‘DURGA’ Scheme’?
- Applicants must generally: Be a Delhi resident who is between 20–40 years old.
- Have a valid Voter IDand have an LMW driving licence and PSV badge.
- Have family income of not more than ₹5 Lakh along with having a family that does not already own a transport vehicle or three-wheeler.
- A woman with more than three children is not eligible.
- Transgender applicants need a certificate from the District Magistrate.
Significance of the DURGA Scheme
- Women’s Empowerment: Provides self-employment and livelihood opportunities for women.
- Transgender Inclusion: Promotes participation of transgender persons in the transport sector.
- Clean Mobility: Encourages electric vehicles and cleaner urban transport.
- Better Connectivity: Improves last-mile connectivity in Delhi.
- Social & Economic Inclusion: Promotes livelihood, inclusion and sustainable mobility.
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC Prelims DURGA Scheme |
Q. Regarding the 'DURGA' scheme, recently in the news, consider the following statements:
I. The 'DURGA' scheme has been approved by the Delhi Cabinet to allocate electric autos exclusively to women and transgender persons.
II. Under the scheme, in each revenue district, a maximum of 90 e-autos can be allocated to women and 10 to transgender persons.
III. To be eligible under the scheme, an applicant's family income must not exceed ₹10 Lakh per annum.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and II only
(b) I and III only
(c) II and III only
(d) I, II and III
Answer: (a)
Explanation
Statement I is Correct: The Delhi Cabinet approved the 'DURGA' (Upliftment and Rozgar for Women/Transgender Green E-Auto) scheme, which allocates electric autos exclusively to women and transgender persons to boost their participation in the transport sector.
Statement II is Correct: In each revenue district, up to 90 e-autos are earmarked for women and 10 for transgender persons, in line with the overall first-phase split of 1,170 for women and 130 for transgender persons out of 1,300 total.
Statement III is Incorrect: The eligibility criterion caps family income at ₹5 Lakh, not ₹10 Lakh, along with the condition that the family must not already own a transport vehicle or three-wheeler.