The Punjab government has announced that it will confiscate subsidized electric taxis found to be misused for personal purposes instead of commercial transport services. The decision follows an official review of the Chief Minister E Taxi Scheme after authorities found that several beneficiaries were not operating their vehicles as intended under the government supported initiative. The Transport Department has initiated a province wide verification process to ensure that the subsidized vehicles are being used in accordance with the objectives of the program.
According to officials, inspections revealed that some recipients had removed the government approved branding and identification from their electric taxis and were using them as private vehicles. The Transport Department is now auditing all beneficiaries who received vehicles under the scheme to verify compliance with program requirements. Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan stated that the government maintains complete records of all recipients and confirmed that only those violating the terms of the scheme by using the vehicles exclusively for personal transport will face legal action and vehicle confiscation.
The Chief Minister E Taxi Scheme was launched to promote environmentally friendly transportation while creating employment opportunities through commercial taxi services. The Punjab government allocated approximately Rs. 4 billion in subsidies for the initiative, enabling the distribution of around 1,100 electric taxis through interest free and flexible installment plans. The program was designed to encourage self employment, reduce fuel consumption and support the province’s transition toward cleaner urban mobility.
The latest verification campaign highlights the government’s focus on ensuring that public subsidy programs achieve their intended objectives. By monitoring compliance and taking action against misuse, authorities aim to preserve the integrity of the initiative while ensuring that subsidized electric vehicles contribute to employment generation and sustainable transport services. The review also reflects the province’s continued commitment to expanding electric mobility and improving accountability in government supported development programs.
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