Questions Raised Over ADC-Backed Subsidised Auto Loans Without Driving Licence or Driver Training

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 29, 2026

Serious questions have been raised over the alleged distribution of subsidised auto-rickshaw loans under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) without requiring applicants to possess a valid driving licence or undergo any formal driver training.

According to reports published in sections of the local media, beneficiaries were allegedly selected and recommended for subsidised auto-rickshaw loans despite the absence of mandatory driving qualifications. The reports have triggered concerns over road safety, transparency, and the proper utilisation of public funds.

The controversy centres on allegations that loan applicants were not required to produce a valid driving licence before being recommended for financial assistance. Critics argue that providing commercial vehicles to individuals who are not legally authorised or adequately trained to drive could endanger both the beneficiaries and the general public.

Questions have also been raised regarding the selection process adopted by the ADC administration. Allegations suggest that recommendations were made without adequate scrutiny, prompting demands for greater transparency in beneficiary selection and implementation of the scheme.

Road safety experts point out that driving an auto-rickshaw is a commercial activity regulated under the Motor Vehicles Act, and drivers are ordinarily expected to possess a valid driving licence and, where applicable, undergo prescribed training before operating passenger vehicles. They argue that subsidised vehicle schemes should include mandatory driver training and licensing as prerequisites to ensure safe and lawful operation.

The issue has also fuelled a wider debate over the effectiveness of subsidy-based employment schemes. While such initiatives are intended to generate self-employment opportunities for unemployed youth, critics contend that overlooking basic legal and safety requirements could undermine the objectives of the programme.

Opposition voices and civil society members have reportedly called for an independent inquiry into the implementation of the scheme. They have sought clarification on the eligibility criteria, the beneficiary selection process, and whether all statutory norms were followed before recommending loan applicants.

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