BHARATH SEVA

Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) Draft Guidelines updated 

What is Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)? 

 when was Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY) implemented..? 

 What is the objective of “Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana” (AGEY)..? 

What are the Salient features “Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana” ..?

 Under the program, the Community Investment Fund (CIF) provided to Community based Organizations (CBOs) under the existing provisions of DAY-NRLM scheme will be utilized to support the SHG members to operate the public transport services. 
The States will have the following two options to implement the scheme Under the program , the Community Investment Fund (CIF) provided to Community based Organizations (CBOs) under the existing provisions of DAY-NRLM scheme will be utilized to support the SHG members to operate the public transport services. The States will have the following two options to implement the scheme:

Operational details:

1. AGEY will be initially implemented in 250 blocks on a pilot basis with each block

provided up to six vehicles to provide transport service to habitations already

connected by all-weather rural roads.

2. The State wise distribution of the number of blocks allocated to each State is given in Annexure-A.

3. The project blocks will be selected by the States from among the intensive blocks of NRLM where mature CBOs are already functioning. Backwardness, lack of transportation link and sustainability of service would be the guiding factors in the selection of blocks and routes. As this is a pilot phase, the programme may be rolledout in less difficult areas which have a greater scope of success. Blocks in which Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) and Mahila Kissan

Shashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) is being implemented may also be given priority

in selection of blocks

4. The SRLMs will do a feasibility study and traffic survey in the selected blocks to

identify the routes and the number and capacity of the vehicles which can be 

operated on a sustainable basis. This study has to be done by any technically sound organisation with expertise in transport network planning. The cost of these studies can be met from the provision available for administrative expenses under DAY-NRLM.

5. Depending on traffic potential, the type of vehicle and its capacity will be

determined by the CBO for each route. The choice of vehicle could be either erickshaw, 3-wheeler or 4-wheeler. The maximum cost of each vehicle shall be kept within a limit of Rs. 6.50 lakh.

6. The SRLMs shall coordinate with the State Transport Department for issue of permit to the vehicle under the scheme based on the findings of the traffic survey.

7. In order to avoid higher maintenance and operating cost only new vehicles shall be purchased. No second-hand vehicle will be purchased for operating the scheme.

8. The SHG member operating the vehicle shall ensure that all the necessary legal andstatutory requirements for operating the vehicle such as valid permit, road tax

payment, valid insurance policy, etc., are met. The CBO may also check the validity of these documents.

9. The lessee / operator shall run the vehicle on approved routes at pre-determined frequency as jointly agreed between the CBO and the operator based on financial viability and the need for transport link.

10.All vehicles under the scheme shall have a defined colour code and carry AGEY

branding to ensure their identity and avoid diversion to other routes,

11.The charges per trip shall be fixed jointly by the operator and the CBO subject torules / regulations of the Transport Department of the State Administration.

The CBO may fix some discounted fare for girl children going to school or college.

12.SRLMs will arrange capacity building for their staff at State, District and Block

levels for operating the scheme. The members of CBO owning the vehicle, the SHG member operating the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle shall also be provided adequate training in RSETIs and other partner organisations, as required. The training cost shall be met from the IB&CB component of NRLM.

13.Based on the transport survey and feasibility study, if any relaxation becomes

necessary in the provisions of these guidelines in the case of LWE districts and

other difficult areas, the proposals for such relaxation shall be submitted to the

DAY-NRLM Empowered Committee for a decision. 

Selection of beneficiaries:

The beneficiary selection will be through a transparent process keeping in view

the poverty status based on SECC data/criteria and capability of the SHG member to

operate and manage the service. Essential requirements are:

1. The SHG member selected must be literate.

2. Ideally the SHG member selected should possess a valid commercial driving licence

to drive the vehicle.

3. Alternatively, she should be able to identify one of her family members possessing

a valid commercial licence to serve as the driver or employ a person with a valid

commercial driving licence as driver of the vehicle.

4. The salary of the driver shall be borne by the SHG member out of earning from the

operation of the vehicle.

Roles and responsibility of stake holders:

1) Community Based Organisations (CBOs):

✓ To select the beneficiary and upload the information in the Transaction based

MIS.

✓ Identify the vehicle jointly with SHG member based on traffic potential and

viability of operations.

✓ To ensure that the vehicle runs regularly on the defined route on the defined

timing and are not diverted to other routes. CBO will also ensure that there is

no sub-contracting of vehicle by the SHG member.

✓ Fix charges per trip jointly with the operator with provision for discounted fare

for girls going to school or college. Also ensure that the operator charges only

the agreed rates from the passengers. Fare discounts may also be allowed for

differently-abled persons.

✓ Ensure that all the legal and Statutory documents relating to the vehicle are kept

updated and valid at all times.

✓ Ensure that the vehicle operator takes proper care of the vehicle and pays the

agreed rent / repayments on time.

✓ Ensure that the VO members are trained in the management of transport vehicle

on business lines. The training would be organised by the SRLM.

2) State Rural Livelihoods Missions:

✓ Select the block for implementation of the Scheme from among the intensive

blocks of NRLM where well established CBOs are functioning.

✓ Ensure that a rural transport network study is done for the selected block and

routes are selected based on the connectivity gaps. Also select the CBO for

implementation. Help the CBO decide on the vehicle lease rental to factor in

lower maintenance costs in the first 1-2 years when the vehicle is new and is

covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.

✓ Ensure that coordination and convergence is done with the State Transport

Department to get the route permit allotted to the CBOs/SHG member/s based

on the transport network study and also to provide other benefits available with

the transport department to this scheme.

✓ Ensure that the State Transport Department give permit for carrying both

passengers and goods by these vehicles subject to Motor Vehicle Regulations.

✓ Ensure that the office bearers of the CBO and the Vehicle operator are provided

training in transport business management and driving and maintenance aspects

of vehicle.

✓ Operate the scheme in a block in saturation mode to ensure that the scheme

creates economical and social impact.

✓ Ensure that the operation of the vehicle is in the defined area and on the routes

as specified by the CBO after the feasibility study.

✓ Handhold the CBO and the operator so that they are able to manage the service

in an economically sustainable manner.

✓ Monitor the scheme and report progress to NRLM periodically and also upload

details on NRLM-MIS.

✓ Issue state specific guidelines for the implementation of the project

✓ Appoint a State Nodal officer for the scheme who will ensure co-ordination,

provision of technical support and successful implementation of the scheme. 

Approval process:

The SRLMs will submit the Annual Action Plan for AGEY along with the Action Plan

for DAY-NRLM for consideration of the NRLM Empowered Committee chaired by

Secretary (RD). The EC will co-opt members from other Departments and

Organisations dealing with Entrepreneurship development, as considered necessary.

For the year 2017-18 the States may submit a supplementary Annual Action Plan

specifying the blocks selected, the estimated number of vehicles required and the

number of villages to be covered for consideration of the Empowered Committee.

The State Governments/SRLMs will be fully responsible for operation of the

scheme and the Central Government or Central scheme implementing agencies

shall not be liable for any accidents or damages arising from operation of the

transport services envisaged under the scheme.

State-wise allocation of Blocks under AGEY