MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT RESOLUTION ANALYSIS

Document Type: Government Resolution (GR) — Policy Decision

Reference Number: MVR 0116/PR.CR.15/PARR-2

Issued By: Government of Maharashtra, Home Department (गृह विभाग)

Date of Issue: 21 January 2016

Effective Date: From the date of publication (21 January 2016)

Portal ID: 1337

Government Website Reference Code: 201601211203368529

SUMMARY

This Government Resolution introduces the "Hinduhrday Samrat Shivsenapramukh Balasaheb Thackeray Niradhar Swavlamban Yojana" (Self-Reliance Scheme named after Balasaheb Thackeray) to provide economic rehabilitation to widows of farmers who committed suicide. The scheme grants auto-rickshaw (three-wheeler) operating permits to eligible widows of deceased farmers, with 100% bank credit financing assistance and exemptions from standard licensing requirements. The scheme aims to provide regular income-generating means to these families while removing certain regulatory restrictions applicable to new auto-rickshaw permits in major cities.

KEY PROVISIONS

Eligibility Criteria

1. Beneficiary Profile:
   • Widow of a farmer who died by suicide (आत्महत्या केलेल्या शेतकऱ्याची विधवा पत्नी)
   • Family must have been declared eligible for emergency relief assistance under the Government Resolutions dated 19 December 2005 and 22 January 2006 issued by the Revenue and Forest Department
   • Family must have received or been deemed eligible to receive ₹1,00,000 (one lakh rupees) as emergency aid / benevolent grant (सानुग्रह अनुदान)
   • Beneficiary selection is limited to families declared eligible prior to the date of this GR (21 January 2016)

Permit and License Provisions

2. Auto-Rickshaw Permit Issuance:

   • Three-wheeler auto-rickshaw operating permit to be issued in the widow's name
   • Designated as a special scheme (विशेष बाब)
   • Permits to operate on fuel approved by the concerned Regional Transport Authority (स्थाशनक प्रादेशिक पशरवहन प्राशधकरणाने मान्यता दिलेल्या इंधनावर)

3. Regulatory Exemptions:

   • Waiver of standard licensing requirements: Widows are exempted from the requirement to hold an auto-rickshaw license (ऑटोरिक्षा लायसन्स) and conductor badge/certificate (बज) that are normally mandatory for permit holders
   • Exemption from city-based restrictions: The notification dated 26 November 1997 had imposed restrictions on issuance of new auto-rickshaw permits in seven major cities: Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nagpur, Solapur, Nashik, and Aurangabad. These restrictions are relaxed (शिथील करण्यात येत अहेत) for widow beneficiaries under this scheme
   • No new permit freeze applies to eligible widow applicants

Financial Assistance and Credit

4. Loan Financing:

   • 100% credit financing to be provided by banks and financial institutions operating in Maharashtra (शंभर टक्के कजण पुरवठा)
   • Credit facility to be availed from finance-providing banks and similar financial institutions in the state (राज्यातील वित्त पुरवठा करणाऱ्या बँका व तत्सम वित्त संस्थांकडून)

5. Collateral and Security:

   • From the ₹1,00,000 benevolent grant received by the family, ₹70,000 (seventy thousand rupees) deposited in post office / bank monthly receipt scheme (पोस्ट / बँकेच्या मासिक प्राप्ती योजनेमध्ये जमा असलेली सत्तर हजार रुपयांची ठेव रक्कम) may be utilized as collateral/guarantee for loan (कजासाठी हमी म्हणून)
   • This deposit amount can be pledged at the time of availing bank credit

Operational Management

6. Guardianship and Supervision:
   • Local Regional/Sub-Regional Transport Authority (स्थाशनक प्रादेशिक / उपप्रादेशिक पशरवहन अधिकारी) to retain guardianship of the auto-rickshaw after permit issuance
   • Transport authorities must:
     • Assist and guide widow permit holders in selecting qualified drivers or third-party operators (पात्र व्यक्तींची अथवा त्रयस्त व्यक्तींची निवड)
     • Monitor daily credit deposit: Ensure that amounts agreed between the operator and permit holder are deposited daily into the widow's bank account
     • Appoint operators as guarantors: Preferably appoint the selected driver/operator as guarantor (जामीनदार) for the auto-rickshaw loan taken by the permit holder

Scheme Duration and Implementation

7. Commencement:

   • Scheme commences from the date of publication of this GR (21 January 2016)
   • Applies only to families declared eligible prior to this date (Section 3)

8. Non-Retroactivity Limitation:

   • Scheme does not apply to families that become eligible after 21 January 2016

DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

FINANCIAL TERMS

• Emergency Relief Grant: ₹1,00,000 (one lakh rupees) per eligible farmer's family
• Collateral Deposit Available: ₹70,000 (seventy thousand rupees) from the grant, if deposited in post office/bank monthly scheme
• Remaining Amount After Collateral: ₹30,000 (thirty thousand rupees)
• Loan Financing: 100% of auto-rickshaw purchase cost via banks

DOCUMENTS/ENCLOSURES REQUIRED

Not explicitly detailed in this GR. Typical requirements (inferred from scheme structure) would include:

1. Death Certificate of the farmer (suicide case)
2. Declaration of Eligibility by Revenue & Forest Department (per GRs dated 19.12.2005 and 22.01.2006)
3. Proof of Receipt of ₹1,00,000 grant or eligibility certificate
4. Bank Account Details of the widow
5. Post Office/Bank Deposit Certificate showing ₹70,000 deposit (if pledging as collateral)
6. Application Form for Auto-Rickshaw Permit (prescribed by Regional Transport Authority)
7. Affidavit confirming widow status and sole proprietorship intent
8. Identity and Address Proof
9. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from relevant local authority

WHO IS AFFECTED

Primary Beneficiaries:

• Widows of farmers who committed suicide (आत्महत्या केलेल्या शेतकऱ्यांच्या विधवा)
• Families declared eligible before 21 January 2016 under previous relief schemes

Implementation Authorities:

• Regional Transport Authorities (प्रादेशिक पशरवहन प्राधिकरण) across Maharashtra
• Sub-Regional Transport Officers (उपप्रादेशिक पशरवहन अधिकारी)
• Banks and Financial Institutions in Maharashtra
• Buldhana Urban Co-operative Credit Society (mentioned as willing to provide 100% credit financing)

Geographic Scope:

• Entire Maharashtra state (सर्व Maharashtra)
• Exceptions to city restrictions apply to:
  • Mumbai
  • Thane
  • Pune
  • Nagpur
  • Solapur
  • Nashik
  • Aurangabad

License/Permit Type Affected:

• Auto-Rickshaw Three-Wheeler Permits (ऑटोरिक्षा परवाना) — exclusively

IMPORTANT NOTES / CONDITIONS / PENALTIES

Critical Conditions

1. Time-Bound Eligibility:

   • Only families certified as eligible prior to 21 January 2016 qualify
   • No retroactive applications accepted
   • No new applications from families becoming eligible after this date

2. Exemptions from Standard Requirements:

   • License Waiver: No mandatory auto-rickshaw license (ऑटोरिक्षा लायसन्स) required
   • Badge/Certificate Waiver: No conductor badge requirement (बज की अपेक्षा नाही)
   • City Restrictions Relaxed: Permits issued despite 26 November 1997 notification restricting new permits in 7 major cities

3. Fuel Type Restriction:

   • Auto-rickshaw must operate on fuel approved by the local Regional Transport Authority
   • Not unrestricted fuel choice; must align with regional authority's approved fuel policy

4. Operational Oversight:

   • Widow permit holder does not operate the vehicle herself
   • Transport Authority must identify and supervise a qualified driver or third-party operator
   • Daily deposit of agreed revenue into widow's bank account is mandatory (to be monitored by Transport Authority)

5. Loan Guarantee Structure:

   • ₹70,000 deposit can serve as partial collateral
   • Selected operator/driver preferably appointed as guarantor (जामीनदार) for the loan
   • Bank to structure credit terms based on this arrangement

No Explicit Penalties Stated

This GR does not specify penalties for:

• Non-compliance by Transport Authorities
• Failure to deposit daily amounts
• Misuse of permits
• Operator default on loans

Implication: Enforcement mechanisms would rely on:

• Existing Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 provisions
• Standard loan agreement terms between banks and borrowers
• Transport Authority's supervisory authority under motor vehicle regulations

Appeals/Grievance Redressal

Not explicitly mentioned in this GR. Recourse would likely be through:

• District Collector (जिल्हाधिकारी)
• Commissioner of Transport
• Revenue & Forest Department (for eligibility disputes)

RELATED/REFERENCED GOVERNMENT RESOLUTIONS

This GR references and builds upon:

1. GR dated 19 December 2005 — Revenue & Forest Department, GR No. SCY 1205/PR.CR.189/M-7 (वाचा क्र. 1)

   • Established emergency relief grant scheme for farmer suicide families

2. GR dated 22 January 2006 — Revenue & Forest Department, GR No. SCY 1205/PR.CR.189/M-7 (वाचा क्र. 2)

   • Continuation/clarification of 2005 scheme

3. GR dated 24 July 2015 — Revenue & Forest Department, GR No. SCY 2015/PR.CR.119/M-7 (Part-1) (वाचा क्र. 3)

   • Special assistance program framework for preventing farmer suicides
   • Skill development component via Department of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship

4. Notification dated 26 November 1997 — Transport Department

   • Imposed restrictions on new auto-rickshaw permits in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nagpur, Solapur, Nashik, Aurangabad
   • Relaxed for this scheme

DISTRIBUTION (OFFICIAL COPIES)

This GR is distributed to:

1. Principal Secretary to the Governor (राज्यपालाचे प्रधान सचिव)
2. Principal Secretary / Secretary to Chief Minister (मुख्यमंत्रीचे प्रधान सचिव)
3. All Ministers / Ministers of State
4. Private Secretary to Speaker, Legislative Assembly (विधानसभा अध्यक्षाचे खाजगी सचिव)
5. Private Secretary to Chairman, Legislative Council
6. Private Secretary to Deputy Speaker, Legislative Assembly
7. Private Secretary to Deputy Chairman, Legislative Council
8. Private Secretary to Leader of Opposition (Legislative Assembly)
9. Private Secretary to Leader of Opposition (Legislative Council)
10. Chief Secretary, Ministry
11. Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department
12. Principal Secretary, Revenue & Forest Department
13. Principal Secretary (Special), Home Department
14. Commissioner of Transport, Maharashtra State
15. All Police Commissioners
16. All District Collectors and Chairpersons of Regional Transport Authorities
17. All Police Superintendents
18. Director General, Directorate of Information & Public Relations
19. All Members of Parliament (Maharashtra State)
20. All Legislative Assembly Members
21. All Regional Transport Officers
22. All Sub-Regional Transport Officers
23. Selection Committee (Transport-2)

EXCISE LAW RELEVANCE

⚠ IMPORTANT NOTE: This document is NOT directly related to Maharashtra Excise Law (Bombay Prohibition Act 1949, Bombay Foreign Liquor Rules 1953, Maharashtra Country Liquor Rules 1973, or related regulations).

Document Category: Home Department / Transport Policy Matter

Licenses Affected: Auto-Rickshaw Three-Wheeler Permits (under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988) — NOT Excise Licenses

Affected License Types (from Excise Law perspective): NONE

This scheme pertains to:

• Social welfare for farmer widow families
• Transport regulation (auto-rickshaw permits)
• Bank credit facilitation
• NOT alcohol licensing or regulation

AUTHENTICATION

Signatory: Prakash Saple (प्रकाि साबळे), Government Secretary (शासनाचे उपसचिव)

Signature Type: Digital signature authenticated

Website Reference: Available at www.maharashtra.gov.in Website Code: 201601211203368529

Issued Under: Authority of the Governor of Maharashtra (महाराष्ट्राचे राज्यपाल यांचे आदेशानुसार व नावाने)

FINAL SUMMARY TABLE

End of Analysis