The initiative taken by the AIF in bringing together various stakeholder groups to improve the economic prospects of the rickshaw pullers is, indeed, commendable and I hope that the Rickshaw Sangh programme is extended all over the country and that it succeeds in bringing about a credible improvement in the quality of lives of this hard working group.
Some experiments have already been done by adopting a Joint Liability Group (JLG) model for delivery of rickshaw loans. For instance, under the Punjab National Bank’s “JANMITRA RICKSHAW FINANCING SCHEME”, need based loans are provided to desirous persons on easy terms and conditions so that these people can come out of the clutches of money lenders.