Bhopal, June 04: (Pervez Bari) So far, 4,824 cycle rickshaw pullers have become owners of cycle rickshaws in Madhya Pradesh under Mukhyamantri Cycle Rickshaw Chalak Kalyan Yojna.

According to Urban Administration & Development Minister Mr. Babulal Gaur, 14 thousand 29 cycle rickshaw pullers have been identified and given identity cards in all the 50 districts of the state. Of these, cases of 8,107 beneficiaries have been prepared and sent to banks. The banks have provided cycle rickshaws to 4,824 beneficiaries so far. Maximum 1021 cycle rickshaw pullers have become owners of cycle rickshaws in Jabalpur district followed by 390 in Chhindwara, 302 in Katni, 282 in Sheopur, 279 in Vidisha, 269 in Seoni, 247 in Chhatarpur, 226 in Rewa and 206 in Balaghat.

It may be mentioned a Panchayat of cycle rickshaw and handcart pullers was called at the initiative of the state Chief Minister Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the year 2009. The Chief Minister’s Cycle Rickshaw Pullers’ Welfare Scheme-2009 was launched on the basis of decisions taken at that Panchayat. Under the scheme, financial assistance is made available to beneficiaries under Swarn Jayanti Shahri Rozgar Yojna to help them become owners of their own cycle rickshaws.

Under the scheme, per unit cost of cycle rickshaw is fixed at Rs.10,000. Besides the 25 per cent subsidy under Swarn Jayanti Shahri Rozgar Yojna, the State Government provides additional 25 percent subsidy to every beneficiary under the scheme. If any family member dies, family of cycle rickshaw puller is provided Rs. two thousand for performing last rites. Amount equivalent to six weeks labour charges as per collector rate is given for maternity assistance and by way of paternity leave, father is given amount equivalent to 15 days’ labour charges as per provisions of the scheme.