Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday, September 4, launched the Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Saheb Passenger Transport Driver-Owner Welfare Board, introducing a range of social security and financial assistance measures for auto-rickshaw and taxi driver-owners across the state.
The initiative seeks to provide greater financial protection to transport workers and their families, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on daily earnings.
One of the major announcements is a Retirement Honour Scheme for driver-owners who have completed 65 years of age.
Eligible beneficiaries will receive an honourarium of Rs 10,000. Shinde said payments had already been transferred to the bank accounts of around 735 beneficiaries who had provided their bank details. Other eligible drivers will receive the assistance in phases.
Unlike employees in the organised sector, auto-rickshaw and taxi driver-owners generally do not have a fixed retirement age or a regular post-retirement income. The scheme is intended to recognise their contribution after years of service on the road.
The welfare board will also provide a range of protections for working driver-owners.
The package includes:
Shinde said auto and taxi drivers play an important role beyond providing transportation. He pointed to instances of drivers helping accident victims and assisting elderly people, women and children during emergencies.
The welfare measures also extend to the families of driver-owners.
Children securing 75% or more in Class 10 will be eligible for a Rs 5,000 scholarship, while those achieving the same benchmark in Class 12 will receive Rs 7,000.
Additional financial assistance will also be available for degree-level education, with eligibility linked to academic performance.
The government says the welfare framework is designed to support driver-owners and their families across different stages of life, from their working years to retirement and their children's education.
The new board has been named after Anand Dighe, the late Shiv Sena leader who played a major role in strengthening the party's organisation in Thane.
Dighe was also a political mentor to Eknath Shinde during his early years in public life. Shinde has frequently acknowledged Dighe's influence on his political journey.
Their relationship was depicted in the Marathi film Dharmaveer: Mukkam Post Thane, which featured Prasad Oak as Anand Dighe and Kshitish Date as Eknath Shinde. Its sequel, Dharmaveer-2, was released in 2024.
Naming the welfare board after Dighe has particular significance in Thane, where his political legacy remains strongly associated with Shinde.
The announcement also comes amid renewed political attention on the rights and welfare of Maharashtra's auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers.
Shinde's own background as a former autorickshaw driver has often featured in political discussions about transport policies. Before entering electoral politics and becoming associated with the Shiv Sena in the 1980s, Shinde worked in different jobs and drove an autorickshaw to support himself.
The issue has gained further prominence amid debates surrounding app-based transport services, including bike taxis, and discussions over Marathi language requirements for drivers.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik recently defended the government's approach, saying those with experience in the profession understand the concerns of drivers. He cited Shinde's journey as an example, saying that an autorickshaw driver could rise to become chief minister or transport minister.
At Friday's event, Shinde also recalled the contribution of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Shinde, many drivers continued working despite the risks and helped transport patients to hospitals during a period of widespread fear and uncertainty.
He also highlighted the participation of women in the sector through the Pink Rickshaw initiative in Thane, describing it as an example of increasing opportunities for women in public transport.
The new welfare framework provides support in several key areas:
The Maharashtra government says the measures are aimed at strengthening the social security net for auto-rickshaw and taxi driver-owners and their families while recognising the important role transport workers play in the state's daily life.
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