Tribals Development Plan: Purchase of Tourist Taxi

The “Purchase of Tourist Taxi” component forms part of the umbrella scheme “Tribals Development Plan”, launched by the Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Goa. This sub-scheme aims to empower Scheduled Tribe (ST) families by providing financial assistance to purchase tourist taxis for self-employment in Goa’s growing tourism industry. It supports tribal households in transitioning from traditional occupations to sustainable livelihood opportunities through the transport sector. Eligible beneficiaries receive a subsidy of ₹15,000/- from the Directorate of Social Welfare (DSW) in addition to any applicable assistance under the Central Government’s Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY). The component is implemented through the District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) and the Directorate of Social Welfare, and applications are accepted offline at district and taluka-level offices.

• For BPL families: A total subsidy of ₹25,000/-, comprising ₹10,000/- from the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) under the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) and ₹15,000/- from the Directorate of Social Welfare (DSW).- For non-BPL tribal families (with annual income < ₹1,20,000/-): A subsidy of ₹15,000/- from DSW.- The subsidy is a one-time financial assistance towards the cost of purchasing a tourist taxi for livelihood use.
• Target Beneficiaries per Year: 50 tribal households.
  *The vehicle must be registered and operated as a tourist taxi under applicable transport regulations.
  *The vehicle must be used solely for livelihood/self-employment by the beneficiary.
  *The subsidy is non-recurring and can be availed only once per household.
  *Misuse or transfer of vehicle ownership within the benefit period may lead to withdrawal or recall of the assistance.

• The applicant must belong to one of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities of Goa—Gawda, Velip, or Kunbi.
• The applicant must be a resident of Goa.
• The applicant’s annual family income must be less than ₹1,20,000/-.
• The applicant must be part of a tribal household identified under the Tribals Development Plan.
• The applicant’s family must fall under either:

(a) the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, or
(b) the non-BPL category with annual income < ₹1,20,000/-.

• The applicant must intend to use the vehicle for self-employment in the tourism/transport sector.
• The applicant must possess or obtain a valid driving licence and vehicle registration documents prior to benefit disbursal.

Offline

Step 1: The interested applicant should visit the Office of the Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Goa, or the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), request the hard copy of the prescribed format of the application form of the scheme from the staff.
Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).
Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents, within the prescribed period (if any), to the Block Development Officer (BDO) or District Welfare Office.

Post-Application Processes

Step 1: The Directorate of Social Welfare verifies eligibility, income, and caste status. The DRDA cross-checks details with the BPL list and prepares the list of shortlisted beneficiaries.
Step 2: Upon approval, the Directorate of Social Welfare releases the subsidy amount directly to the approved beneficiary through the designated bank account.
Step 3: Random field verification is conducted to ensure the motorcycle has been purchased and is used for the intended self-employment purpose.