Lok Sabha Question No. 3951 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Implementation of Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Dr. Byreddy Shabari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3951 ANSWERED ON 25/03/2025

## IMPLEMENTATION OF AAJEEVIKA GRAMEEN EXPRESS YOJANA 3951. DR. BYREDDY SHABARI:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  and  total  number  of  blocks  selected  under  the AajeevikaGrameen Express Yojana (AGEY) during the last five years, State and district-wise including Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) the  details  and  total  funds  sanctioned,  utilised  and  released under  AGEY  during  the  last  five  years,  State-wise  including Andhra Pradesh;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any capacity-building programmes for staff at the State, district and block levels for implementing AGEY, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has conducted any studies or evaluations to assess the overall progress and impact of AGEY, if  so,  the  details  thereof,  State-wise  particularly  in  Andhra Pradesh?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. CHANDRA SEKHAR PEMMASANI)

(a): AajeevikaGrameen  Express  Yojana  (AGEY)  is  a  sub-scheme launched  in  year  2017,  under  the  centrally  sponsored  scheme  of DeendayalAntyodayaYojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM),  to  provide  an  alternative  source  of  livelihoods  to members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) by facilitating them to operate public  transport  services  in  backward  rural  areas. The  vehicles under the scheme operate in backward and remote rural areas for transportation  needs  and  to  meet  demands  to  cater  services  to local commuters and carriage of goods. The members of SHGs and Groups from Community  Based  Organizations (CBOs) are the beneficiaries of the AGEY.  AGEY is approved in 359 blocks of 211 districts of 25 States. A total of 2297 vehicles have been sanctioned under AGEY. However, no new block has been approved under AGEY during the last five years.

- (b): The scheme has the provision for purchasing either 3-wheeler or 4-wheeler vehicles with interest-free financial support and has a provision of loan support from the Community Investment Fund (CIF) already provided to the SHGs across the Country under DAY-NRLM. There was no separate funding for this scheme. State/District/Blockwise  details  of  vehicles  sanctioned  under  AGEY  are  available  at Ministry's portal: nrlm.gov.in.
- (c): The training and capacity building programmes for staff under AGEY is done  by the States/UTs in the districts and blocks.
- (d): An  impact  study  was  conducted  by  the  National  Institute  of Rural  Development  and  Panchayati  Raj  (NIRD&PR)  in  November 2022. The key findings are as follows -
- (i) In terms of outreach, the AGEY vehicles connected transportation  facility  to  the  remotest  part  of  the  village  areas  in the  study  blocks.  Further,  the  vehicles  were  well  accessed  and distributed  to  the  targeted  beneficiaries.  Particularly,  the  study results  revealed  majority  of  the  vehicles  are  allocated  to  the backward and socio-economically poorer section of the society.
- (ii) In terms of access to other services 46% of respondents felt the scheme has provided cheaper transport services by connecting the remote  places,  38%  saving  in  waiting  time,  45%  of  respondents mentioned on-time facility in carrying goods to the market, and 38% of the respondents got huge support for  emergency  medical services for the targeted communities.
- (iii) The scheme  also provided an opportunity for  women  in developing  their  capacities  and  harness  their  driving  skills.  The study  observed  women's  role  as  driver  for  vehicles  in  itself  is  a phenomenal change within the society, breaking the social taboos and proving limitless boundaries for themselves, and achieving new avenues of success.
- (iv) The scheme has been successful in improving the rural economy in  turn  to  assist  the  rural  women  with  the  alternative  source  of income in particular for the SHG women. Farmers and vendors were able  to  reach  marketplaces,  community  members  were  availing discounted  fares,  and  access  to  schools,  hospitals;  and  attending workplaces became easier than before in remote areas.
- (v) Another key benefit derived from the AGEY is that, the scheme is able to connect remote villages of the country through its vehicles.

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