Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s Electric Auto (e-Auto) Subsidy Scheme

The Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s Electric Auto (e-Auto) Subsidy Scheme, introduced by the Adi Dravidar Welfare and Scheduled Tribes Welfare department of the Government of Puducherry, is designed to advance the social and economic standing of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe women. The initiative supports their entry into income-generating work through electric autos, encouraging self-sufficiency while contributing to cleaner public transport.

Under this scheme, a sizeable subsidy is offered to ease the cost of purchasing an electric auto. Beneficiaries can receive financial support of up to 75% of the vehicle’s total price, or ₹3,00,000, whichever is lower, after accounting for existing Central Government incentives such as those under Pradhan Mantri E-DRIVE (FAME-3). The assistance covers the electric auto itself, with additional accessories excluded.

The programme is structured to ensure lasting economic stability for recipients, with explicit rules on vehicle ownership and use following disbursement. It acts as a key support mechanism for women from marginalised communities seeking durable livelihoods in the public transport sector within the Union Territory of Puducherry.

**Step 1: Obtain Application Form.** Candidates are required to download and print the prescribed application format from the official website or from designated offices.

**Step 2: Complete Application.** All mandatory fields in the form must be filled in. Self-attested copies of every required document—proof of residence, caste certificate, income certificate, a valid driving licence, and any other relevant paperwork—should be attached.

**Step 3: Submit Application.** Completed applications must be submitted to the Director of Adi Dravidar Welfare and Scheduled Tribes Welfare for applicants in the Puducherry region. For the Karaikal and Yanam regions, submissions go to the Assistant Director; for the Mahe region, to the Regional Administrator. Before submission, applicants should verify that all documents are in order.

**Step 4: Central Subsidy Application.** Once selected and in possession of a driving licence, applicants are advised to file an application under the Pradhan Mantri E-DRIVE (FAME-3) Scheme. This step is necessary to claim a maximum subsidy of ₹50,000, which must be utilised before the state subsidy is finalised.

**Step 5: Subsidy Disbursement.** The final state subsidy amount is determined by whether the vehicle has already been purchased. If the purchase is complete, the subsidy is transferred to the beneficiary’s account after the original invoice is submitted. If the vehicle has not yet been bought, the applicant must first pay 25% of the total cost to the dealer; the state subsidy is then credited directly to the authorised dealer’s account.

A Welfare Inspector first reviews each application to verify that it meets the scheme’s eligibility criteria. Only those applications found eligible are forwarded to the Selection Committee for further assessment. To maintain transparency and broad outreach, the selection process is announced through advertisements in leading daily newspapers, including English and regional editions such as Tamil, Telugu, or Malayalam.

Eligible applicants are chosen primarily by age seniority, following a first-come-first-served basis. If more than 50 applications are received in a year, a draw of lots may be used as an alternative method. This lottery is conducted openly, with at least three applicants present to ensure fairness. After selection, the beneficiary list is published on the Urban Development Housing portal to prevent overlap with other schemes. Additionally, the Registering Authority places a 5-year restriction on vehicle ownership transfer in the Transport Department’s VAHAN software, enforcing the post-selection conditions.