Home Minister V.S. Acharya on Tuesday distributed taxis to 21 members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes at a function organised by the Department of Tourism and the district administration here.
Dr. Acharya said that 50 per cent of the cost of the vehicles had been subsidised by the Department of Tourism, 45 per cent adjusted under loans from Indian Bank and the rest was paid by the beneficiaries. The bank would charge 10 per cent interest on the loan, he said.
The taxis would not only help the beneficiaries in leading a decent life but also the large number of tourists visiting Udupi and the nearby pilgrimage centres daily, Dr. Acharya said. MLA Raghupati Bhat, Deputy Commissioner P. Hemalatha, Assistant Director of the Department of Tourism Adilakshmamma were present.
ADVERTISEMENT