‘Auto Driverla Sevalo’ scheme a farce, says A.P. Congress chief

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y. S. Sharmila on Sunday (October 05, 2025) said that the “Auto Drivarla Sevalo” scheme launched by the TDP-led coalition government in the State was a farce.

She said while the government claimed that every auto driver with a badge in the State would get ₹15,000 annually, the financial assistance had been given to only 2.9 lakh people. She said according to the RTA records, the State has around 15 lakh licensed auto drivers. Even according to the TDP’s own calculations, there were around 13 lakh licensed drivers, but the benefit was extended to only 10% of the actual number, she alleged.

Ms. Sharmila accused the government of emulating its predecessor YSR Congress party, which implemented ‘Vahana Mitra’ scheme for only 2.6 lakh people under ‘owner-cum-driver’ category. She said the TDP government made false claims that it had given an additional benefit to 30,000 people over what the previous government gave.