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, targets the social and economic advancement of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe women. It enables their involvement in income-generating activities through electric autos, fostering self-reliance while supporting environmentally sustainable public transport.

Under this initiative, a subsidy of up to 75% of the vehicle’s total cost, capped at ₹3,00,000 (whichever is lower), is provided. This amount is calculated after accounting for existing Central Government incentives, such as those under the Pradhan Mantri E-DRIVE (FAME-3) scheme. The financial support covers the electric auto’s cost, with accessories excluded.

The scheme includes stipulations on vehicle ownership and usage following disbursement, aiming for sustained economic stability. It functions as a resource for women from marginalised communities seeking durable livelihoods in Puducherry’s public transportation sector.

**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 application form must be filled in. Self-attested copies of every required document—proof of residence, caste certificate, income certificate, valid driving licence, and other relevant papers—should be attached.

**Step 3: Submit Application.** For applicants in the Puducherry region, the completed application must be submitted to the Director of Adi Dravidar Welfare and Scheduled Tribes Welfare. Those in the Karaikal and Yanam regions should submit to the Assistant Director, while applicants in the Mahe region should submit to the Regional Administrator. Before submission, ensure that all documents are in proper order.

**Step 4: Central Subsidy Application.** Following selection and receipt of the driving licence, applicants are advised to file an application under the Pradhan Mantri E-DRIVE (FAME-3) Scheme to claim a maximum subsidy of ₹50,000. This claim 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 vehicle has been bought, the subsidy is transferred to the beneficiary’s account after the original invoice is submitted. If the vehicle has not yet been purchased, 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 evaluation. To maintain transparency and broad awareness, 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 is used as an alternative method, conducted openly in the presence of at least three applicants to ensure fairness. After selection, the beneficiary list is published on the Urban Development Housing portal to prevent duplication of benefits with other schemes. Additionally, the Registering Authority places a 5-year block on the vehicle’s ownership transfer in the Transport Department’s VAHAN software, enforcing post-selection obligations.