Centre for Rural Development (CRD) an NGO working in the developmental sector especially rural development came up with an innovative idea of running a Rickshaw Bank in 2004 to cater to the urban poor and marginalised population. The idea was translated into action and the project has been under implementation since November 2004. Apart from the Rickshaw Bank, CRD has been engaging itself with several rural developmental projects.
While working with the rural masses, Dr. Praditp Kr. Sharma Chief Executive Director of the organisation observed that the rural masses are increasingly migrating to urban areas in search of better livelihood, but in absence of adequate skill and training they have to face the urban misery in replacement of rural poverty, resulting in sub-human living. Inabiltiy to grasp a desired job leads them to the vicious cycle of rich contractor or moneylenders where their struggle becomes a never-ending process. In such situation they ultimately hire a rickshaw for their alternative employment. But their major chunk of income goes on hiring charges and they hardly can save money for their future expenses. As a consequence, even in their lifetime some of them can’t own a rickshaw A survey conducted in the city of Guwahati revealed that only 5 % own their vehicle. They also don’t have access to banks since they did not have a fixed address and there is nobody to introduce them. After living in the city for 15 years too they are considered as migrants. Often the police pounced upon them. A large number of rickshaws were unlicensed, because they couldn’t produce the required documents for getting necessary licenses. With a commitment to contribute towards the enlishment of the poor marginalised migrants of the city of Guwahati , CRD had initiated the project Rickshaw Bank with technical assistance from Guwahati IIT, till date almost 300 rickshaws have been disbursed to the beneficiaries. The main objective of the project was to issue an asset loan to the rickshaw puller with an instruction to repay the original manufacturing cost of the rickshaw by a minimum installment rate on daily basis and as the borrower repays the loan the Rickshaws are handed over to the pullers. The repayment amount would again be reinvested in manufacturing the rickshaws to provide loan to other rickshaw pullers. Besides, the project proposes to ascertain a good livelihood atmosphere of the rickshaw puller, by providing them comprehensive packages like insurance coverage, required licenses, Photo ID card, uniforms and a passbook for savings and repayments. The organization also proposes to generate funds for the working capital of the project from different public and private sector companies through incurring advetisement cost. This is a unique project in India that helps rickshaw pullers become owners of their rickshaws instead of renters, thereby increasing their income level. The rickshaw delivered is an improved design (designed at IIT Guwahati) that reduces work for the puller and protects the puller from the weather.
AFNA support to Project rickshaw
In the year 2007, five Rickshaws were provided by AFNA – the funds were sent in 2007. In June 2008, AFNA sent funds for another eight rickshaws. Parth Gogoi , President of AFNA met the following beneficieries of Rickshaw Bank
1.Name of the Driver: Mr. Madhab Kalita a 75 year old man who has been plying rickshaws but never actually owned one until now!!
2. Permanent Address: Baikunthapur, Lalmati, Basistha, Guwahati, Assam
3 Present Address: Do
4 Previous income per day: Rs. 50-75/-
5. Present Income per day: Rs. 120- 150/-
6. Remarkable change in life style, after involvement with the Rickshaw Bank Project of CRD:
Change in mind set
Able to reduce the financial constraint of life.Daily savings is not a problem.
Meet up the need by withdrawing savings from the RB office.
Starting to construct a house by taking cash loan from RB office.
Name of the Driver: Damodar Roy
2. Permanent Address: Madhabpur, Basistha, Dist.
Kamrup (M), Assam
3. Present Address: Do
4. Previous income per day: Rs. 50-75 /-
5. Present Income per day: Rs. 125-150/-
6. Remarkable change in life style, after involvement
with the Rickshaw Bank Project of CRD:
Independency in occupation.
Able to meet up the daily need of family,smoothly.
Flexibility in life.
Meet up the need by withdrawing savings from the office
Name of the Driver: Ajit Thakuria
2. Permanent Address: Vill-Kokon, PO. Jaysagar, PS. Mukalmuwa, Dist. Nalbari, Assam
3. Present Address: Vill. Baikunthapur, PO. Beltola, PS. Basistha, Dist. Kamrup (M)
4. Previous income per day:
5. Present Income per day:
6. Remarkable change in life style, after involvement with the Rickshaw Bank Project of CRD:
a. I have a bread earning asset of my own
b. No harassment of Rickshaw Merchant.
c. I am daily saving for future.
d. I have recovered a number of small temporary loans.
