From Subsidies to Scooters, Women Empowerment a Priority: Lokesh
Minister Lokesh said the programme supports women with bank loans, subsidies from Rs.12,300 for scooters up to Rs.36,000 for autos, along with Rapido’s fee waivers and EMI assistance.
Vijayawada: Under the leadership of Minister Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh is empowering women to become micro-entrepreneurs through the state government’s poverty elimination initiative in partnership with Rapido.
In cities like Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Nellore, women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are riding electric scooters and autos, as part of public transport services, and brining home a steady income to uplift these families.
The journey took off on International Women’s Day, March 8 last, when chief minister Chandrababu Naidu launched the “One Family, One Entrepreneur” vision. Through the Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas, the government provided loans for purchase of electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, enabling 1,003 women beneficiaries from nine urban centres to join Rapido’s platform as drivers.
Vehicles were distributed with a focus on accessibility, to 400 beneficiaries each in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, 50 each in Nellore and Ongole, and 25 each in Guntur, Kurnool, Tirupati, Kakinada and Rajahmundry.
Among these, 760 were electric two-wheelers, and 240 electric three-wheelers. While loans have been given in the SHG women’s names, family members with driving licences can also operate the vehicles if the woman does not hold a licence herself. MEPMA simplified the process by preparing project reports and facilitating loans under the Self-Employment Programme.
Rapido’s partnership boosted this empowerment drive by waiving platform onboarding fees for the initial three to four months and providing a Rs.1,000 monthly EMI subsidy for the first year, easing financial burdens and ensuring that women could start earning immediately.
Lokesh highlighted the government’s commitment saying, “Women empowerment has been a key focus of the Telugu Desam-led government. I am proud that through this partnership with Rapido, we have empowered over 1,000 women. This is only the beginning—our efforts will continue and expand.”
Stories of transformation abound. Vadlapudi Glory Manju from Vijayawada, who received an electric scooter with government subsidy, now earns up to Rs.10,000 monthly by driving with Rapido in her free time. “It’s not just about income; it’s independence,” she says.
Another beneficiary, Madhavi from Vijayawada, turned to this opportunity after her husband was struck with paralysis. With a government subsidy and MEPMA support, she bought a scooter and now earns around Rs.12,000 monthly, helping her sustain the family and the children’s education.
Similarly, 45-year-old Badisa Bhavani supports her family as being its primary breadwinner. Thanks to MEPMA, she acquired an e-scooter and now earns Rs.500–Rs.700 daily driving with Rapido.
Minister Lokesh said the programme supports women with bank loans, subsidies from Rs.12,300 for scooters up to Rs.36,000 for autos, along with Rapido’s fee waivers and EMI assistance. He stated that electric vehicles reduce fuel and maintenance costs, allowing women to save Rs.13,000 to Rs.16,000 monthly, providing their families with vital financial stability.
Lokesh announced that the state government aimed to scale this initiative to include 4,800 women by next year.
