Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, today said in a 'maha rally' that the Delhi government won't ban e-rickshaws and each e-rickshaw would be allowed to carry four passengers and luggage up to 50 kgs.
Gadkari said, "We will ensure employment to eradicate poverty, as poor is just poor and not from a particular caste or religion, such as Hindu, Muslim or Dalit. I have written a letter to PM Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley requesting that e-rickshaw owners should get credit at 3 percent interest."
BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi also batted for e-rickshaw drivers' employment by saying that it was wrong that the government had made all e-rickshaws illegal under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Lekhi described the e-rickshaws as eco-friendly and ones that can be driven by women and people with disabilities. She said, "Firstly two lakh people are currently involved in these electronic rickshaws and 10 lakh of their family members are also depended on it, which is why it's important that these people aren't taken off their employment."
The 'maha rally' of e-rickshaw pullers was held at Ramlila Maidan because of a notification that was issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on April 24 to the e-rickshaw pullers, rendering them illegal.
