Lucknow, May 4 (PTI) Rickshaw pullers in Uttar Pradesh would get modern motor, battery or solar power driven rickshaws free of cost. A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was held today in which detailed discussions were held on the scheme of giving free modern rickshaws in exchange for traditional paddled ones. The CM said the scheme was the priority area of the government as SP had in its election manifesto promised to implement the same. Urban Development Minister Mohd Azam Khan said that keeping in mind convenience of rickshaw pullers, rickshaws should be selected on the basis of right technique. During the meeting, it was decided that a high-level committee headed by the chief secretary should be constituted to run the scheme. The decision to constitute a technical committee of experts and implementation committee at district level chaired by district magistrates was also taken. It was decided that proposals should be taken from reputed companies so that availability of motor, battery, solar power driven rickshaws could be ensured. It was decided that ownership of rickshaws would be given on the condition that beneficairies would not sell the same.
