Taxi / Goods van finance scheme and Subsidy from Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation
1000 – 700- 500 – 100 and no one knows the number of actual beneficiaries, and none knows anything about the scheme.
An overzealous government of Karnataka wanted to score some brownie points in the hearts of the Minority Community just before the Code of Conduct kicks in on the eve of the Assembly elections 2018.
What was it for?
A hastily called for program was conducted. A motley crowd had gathered on the lawns of Vidhana Soudha on a Sunday morning March 11, 2018 for the Taxi/Goods Vehicle social welfare scheme that turned out to be another damp squib. This was billed as the handing over ceremony to the successful applicants of Taxis/goods vehicles under the minority development scheme. The announcement of the scheme that very few people were aware off and none of the Christians other than a handful who had some personal contacts with the officials and politicians. With elections around the corner, to take political mileage wide publicity was given to this event and the Chief Minister, Minority Development minister and the Transport minister were billed as the dignitaries to grace the occasion. Notable absentees on the stage were the Bangalore City Development Minister K.J. George and Ivan Dsouza MLC, J. R. Lobo MLA, Vinisha Nero Nominated MLA designate incharge Christian Development Council. Thus there was no representation of Christians on and off the stage. The Chief Minister during his talk was seen straining his neck trying to acknowledge a Christian face on the stage.
What is the scheme?
This taxi bhagya scheme is an extension of the Swalambana (self employment) scheme of the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation. It is relevant to mention here that even Christians, Budhists, Jains, Sikhs, and Parsis are also considered religious minorities. As the title suggests it is financial assistance for self employment as a taxi owner cum driver. There is also talk of some 3 Lakh rupees subsidy. But no where is there any explanation about this subsidy. So far so good. But when did KMDC announce this scheme to the minority community is a mystery. The subsidy is what makes this scheme a cash cow for the network of agents in KMDC who worked overtime to ensure that this was known only to a closed network.
Modus operandi of the agents
The subsidy of three lakhs is too good to make this scheme public and agents went about identifying beneficiaries who were willing to pass on a substantial part of the subsidy as kickbacks running into 4-5 crores that is distributed among everyone from top to down. The monopoly of agents in KMDC was openly admitted on record by an official of Karnataka State Minorities Development Corporation about 3 months ago. See link to the concerned video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmwtKodtBp0 It looks like nothing much has changed now.
How many beneficiaries?
There were tall claims on the podium with the speakers rattling out figures as 1000 – 700 – 500 – and 100. It was only the Chief Minister who mentioned that the total beneficiaries under this scheme throughout Karnataka for the financial year 17-18 was 500 and that from Bangalore and Ramnagaram it was 100. Not sure whether all the beneficiaries from Bangalore and Ramnagaram received their vehicle on March 11, 2018. None of the vehicle that were on display other than two of them had the registration completed. It only looked like the lawns of Vidhana soudha was converted into a makeshift showroom for RNS motors as most of the vehicles were unregistered and only had the prominent logo of RNS motors.
Islamuddin Ghadiyal one of the directors of KMDC was at loss for a convincing answer when he was asked about the scheme and what publicity KMDC had given for this scheme. When did this scheme open and when did it close? He was equally lost when asked for the number of beneficiaries. Specifically he had no answer when asked about the number of Christian beneficiaries. He only mumbled that there will be another list next month. Another director who wished not to be named expressed his complete ignorance to the notification of the scheme or the selection process. One thing is certain all is not transparent in KMDC. The Christian Community again are the silent victims.
Some beneficiaries also confused.
Eric, an elderly gentleman, was one of the beneficiaries. It should be noted that the cut off age limit is 45 but this was a lucky gentleman who did not know what to do with this lucky bumper from KMDC. He blurted out that he will attach the vehicle to some IT company for some additional income. This raises a very serious question. Is this scheme for some additional income for the well to do who are connected with the politicians or is it a means of livelihood for the poor and marginalized in the minority community.
The poor minority Christians are wondering if they will ever get social justice under the present dispensation and how long will they continue to be ignored. This Taxi Bhagya scheme is only a show piece for the government to reap political benefits and there is no real benefit for the minorities. KMDC will only do well to make the list of beneficiaries and the details of the scheme public to allay the fears of the Christians who once again feel sidelined.