District in-charge Minister Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad, and Visakhapatnam East MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu formally handing over a cheque as part of the ‘Auto drivers Sevalo’ programme in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT
As many as 22,955 drivers from Visakhapatnam district received financial assistance under the newly launched ‘Auto drivers Sevalo’ scheme, introduced by the State government on Saturday. The district-level programme was held at VMRDA Children’s Arena, attended by Social Welfare Minister and in-charge district Minister Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad, and officials from the Road Transport Authority (RTA). All the MLAs also participated in the programme across their respective constituencies.
In a unique gesture, all elected representatives arrived at the event in auto-rickshaws, wearing drivers’ uniforms.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao participated in the ‘Auto drivers Sevalo’ programme at Ward No. 71. Addressing a large gathering of auto-rickshaw drivers, who gave him a warm reception, Mr. Srinivasa Rao recalled his meeting with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in August, where he highlighted the hardships faced by auto drivers and their families. “The outcome of that appeal is visible today. The Chief Minister has sanctioned an annual financial assistance of ₹15,000 for every auto driver under the newly launched scheme. This is not merely a welfare measure but a historic decision reflecting the TDP’s deep humanism,” he said.
He added that the government has allocated ₹435.35 crore to benefit 2,90,234 drivers across Andhra Pradesh, including 2.64 lakh auto drivers, 20,072 taxi drivers, and 6,400 maxi cab drivers. In Gajuwaka alone, nearly 12,000 families are expected to gain financial relief through the programme.
Drawing a sharp contrast with the previous YSRCP government, he noted that auto drivers had suffered neglect and humiliation under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s administration, grappling with rising fuel costs, tax burdens, penalties, and police harassment.
As many as 13,753 auto-rickshaw drivers from Anakapalli district received financial assistance of ₹20.62 crore under the ‘Auto drivers Sevalo’ scheme. Assembly Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra, Anakapalli MP C.M. Ramesh, and other officials were present during the launch.
Similarly, 4,217 drivers from Alluri Sitharama Raju district received ₹6.53 crore in financial assistance under the same programme, with Minister for Tribal Affairs Gummadi Sandhya Rani attending the event.
Published – October 04, 2025 09:08 pm IST
