20 women, transgenders get free electric autos in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced on Sunday that the government would extend support to women and transgender individuals in availing subsidized electric autos, with the aim to promote financial independence and sustainable livelihoods.

Speaking at an event organised by Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) and CGI here, the minister distributed free electric autos to 20 women and transgender individuals who successfully completed driving training.

Reddy said the government would provide subsidies for the purchase of electric autos for women and ensure priority for them in obtaining driving licenses.

He announced that 10 additional electric autos would be distributed free of cost through his own foundation.

Highlighting the growing participation of women across sectors, he said while women’s literacy and employment rates had improved significantly, they taking to driving autos for a living was limited.

However, the increasing interest among women in this field was encouraging, he added. 

B PAC CEO Revathi Ashok emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between corporates and the government to scale up such initiatives.

She said over 400 women had already been trained, with a target of around 1,000 women auto drivers by the end of this year. 

Senior vice president of CGI, Sudhir Sharma, expressed pride in supporting motivated women and transgender individuals in Bengaluru by helping them build sustainable careers through such training programmes.

The event was also attended by Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CGI senior vice president Jennifer Mecheripaddi and others.