The state government’s recent announcement to provide one-time grant of Rs 2,000 to drivers, conductors and helpers of commercial vehicles, who were affected by the imposition of ban on 15-year-old vehicles in Kolkata, has not enthused the transport operators.

“The grant amount is minuscule. We don’t know when the money will reach our drivers and helpers,” said Swarnakomal Saha, general secretary, Bengal Bus Syndicate, one of the largest private bus operators in the city.

The imposition of the ban rendered thousands of operators without jobs overnight and according to state Labour Minister Anadi Sahu, around 30,000 people were affected by the ban.

“The one-time grant is being provided to only those who have applied for replacement. There are still 40,000 autos which are yet to apply for replacement,” said Pradip Saha, an auto driver.

The government’s effort to help the affected vehicle owners to apply for replacement has also failed to take off. Approximately 1,200 mini-buses, 4,000 buses, 20,000 taxis and 40,000 auto-rickshaws are yet to be replaced. According to Public Vehicles Department, Beltala — which receives the bulk of the applications — the department has issued replacement order for 5,000 taxis (of which 1,300 new taxis are plying the city), 17 minibuses and nearly 6,000 auto-rickshaws.

“When we have to pay Rs 1.26 lakh and the loan amount, the government’s subsidy of Rs 10,000 and Rs 2000-grant seems to be nothing,” added Das.

The vehicle owners are also not happy with the amount of government subsidy which is Rs 50,000 for bus, Rs 30,000 for minibus, Rs 20,000 for taxi and Rs 10,000 for auto-rickshaw.

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