Tribals Development Plan: Purchase of Tourist Taxi
Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Goa · Central government
Goa offers Scheduled Tribe families a one-time subsidy of up to ₹25,000 to buy a tourist taxi and take up self-employment in tourism.
Open, rolling. Applications are accepted continuously — there is no deadline.
Key facts
- Subsidy amount
- ₹15,000 – ₹25,000
- Instrument
- Subsidy
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Disbursement
- Single lump sum
About this scheme
The "Purchase of Tourist Taxi" component sits within the wider "Tribals Development Plan" initiative run by the Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Goa. Under this sub-scheme, Scheduled Tribe (ST) families receive financial assistance to buy tourist taxis, which allows them to take up self-employment in Goa's tourism industry. The intention is to help tribal households move away from traditional livelihoods towards lasting economic opportunities in the transport sector.
Beneficiaries who qualify get a subsidy of ₹15,000/- from the Directorate of Social Welfare (DSW). This amount may be supplemented by further assistance available under the Central Government's Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY).
The scheme is delivered jointly by the District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) and the Directorate of Social Welfare. Applications are accepted offline at district and taluka-level offices across Goa.
The scheme's objective is to build economic independence among tribal communities and bring them into the mainstream economy through entrepreneurial activity in tourism.
Who can apply
- Eligible business forms
- Sole proprietorship
- Udyam registration
- Not specified
- MSME registration
- Not required
- DPIIT startup recognition
- Not required
- GST registration
- Not specified
- Revenue band
- Up to ₹1,19,999
- Where the business may be based
- Goa
- Applicant must be a member of a Scheduled Tribe (ST) community in Goa — Gawda, Velip, or Kunbi. - Applicant must reside in Goa. - Annual family income must be below ₹1,20,000/-. - Applicant's household must be listed under the Tribals Development Plan. - Family must fall under Below Poverty Line (BPL), or be non-BPL with income under ₹1,20,000/-. - Vehicle must be intended for self-employment in the tourism or transport sector. - A valid driving licence and vehicle registration documents must be held before disbursal.
How to apply
- **Step 1: Collect the application form**: Applicants who wish to apply should go to the Office of the Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Goa, or the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and ask the staff there for a hard copy of the prescribed application form. - **Step 2: Fill in the application**: Complete every mandatory field on the form and attach self-attested copies of all documents that are required. - **Step 3: Hand in the application**: Deliver the completed and signed form, together with all supporting documents, to the Block Development Officer (BDO) or the District Welfare Office within the stipulated period, where one applies.
How applications are assessed
The Directorate of Social Welfare checks that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria and confirms their income and caste particulars. In parallel, the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) matches these details against the BPL list and draws up a roster of shortlisted beneficiaries. The Directorate of Social Welfare then grants final approval, after which the subsidy is disbursed.
Once the subsidy has been released, random field verifications are carried out to confirm the vehicle is being put to the self-employment purpose for which it was intended.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the Tourist Taxi purchase scheme?
Applicants must be Goa-resident Scheduled Tribe individuals (Gawda, Velip or Kunbi) whose annual family income is below ₹1,20,000 and who plan to use the taxi for self-employment in tourism.
What is the maximum subsidy provided under this scheme?
For Below Poverty Line families, the maximum subsidy is ₹25,000, comprising ₹10,000 from DRDA under SGSY and ₹15,000 from DSW; non-BPL tribal families earning below ₹1,20,000 receive ₹15,000 from DSW.
How many households does this scheme aim to support annually?
Each year, the scheme assists 50 tribal households in buying tourist taxis.
Is this a recurring benefit?
No, this subsidy is a one-time financial assistance, and each household may claim it only once.
What type of vehicle must be purchased?
A vehicle bought using the subsidy has to be registered and run as a tourist taxi in line with the relevant transport rules, and it may be used only for livelihood or self-employment purposes.
How do I apply for this scheme?
Applications must be submitted offline. To obtain and submit the form, visit the Office of the Directorate of Social Welfare or the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA).
Sectors
- Travel Tourism
- Logistics Mobility
- Tribal Development
- Selfemployment
- Tourism Sector
- Taxi Business
- Goa Livelihoods
- Rural Development
Intended beneficiaries
- Rural Communities
- Low Income
Details last verified on 18 September 2026. Source: the issuer's published information.