Apni Gaddi Apna Rojgar scheme

The Apni Gaddi Apna Rojgar Scheme is a flagship employment initiative launched by the Government of Punjab to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship among the state’s youth. The scheme focuses on enabling individuals to earn a sustainable livelihood by owning and operating commercial vehicles, thereby generating employment opportunities and reducing dependence on government jobs.

Background and Context

Unemployment among educated youth has been a major socio-economic challenge in Punjab. Rapid urbanisation, limited industrial growth, and dependence on agriculture have constrained formal job creation. In response, the Punjab Government under Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh introduced the Apni Gaddi Apna Rojgar Scheme in 2018 as part of the broader Ghar Ghar Rozgar and Karobar Mission (GGRK) — an umbrella initiative aimed at ensuring gainful employment for every household.
The scheme aligns with the government’s vision of self-reliant employment generation, encouraging young people to become owner-operators of commercial vehicles such as taxis, tempos, trucks, and delivery vans, thereby contributing to both urban transport and logistics networks.

Objectives of the Scheme

The key objectives of the Apni Gaddi Apna Rojgar Scheme are:

• To promote self-employment by providing financial assistance for purchasing vehicles.
• To generate income and create employment opportunities for youth, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
• To encourage entrepreneurship in the transport and logistics sector.
• To provide structured support for bank-linked vehicle loans with government facilitation.
• To enhance mobility and last-mile transport infrastructure in the state through local participation.

Implementing Agencies

The scheme is implemented under the coordination of:

• Department of Employment Generation and Training, Government of Punjab.
• District Bureaus of Employment and Enterprise (DBEEs) across all districts.
• Nationalised Banks and Financial Institutions providing vehicle loans under government-supported terms.
• Automobile Companies and Dealers, partnering for supply and after-sales services of vehicles.

Key Features of the Scheme

1. Vehicle Ownership Assistance: Eligible beneficiaries receive support in acquiring commercial vehicles, such as taxis, mini-trucks, e-rickshaws, and delivery vans. The government facilitates linkages with banks and manufacturers for smooth financing and procurement.
2. Bank Loan Support: The scheme provides collateral-free or subsidised loans to applicants under priority lending norms. Beneficiaries may avail up to ₹10 lakh in financial assistance, depending on the vehicle type.
3. Interest and Subsidy Support: Certain categories—such as Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, women, and economically weaker sections—may be eligible for interest subsidies or margin money support.
4. Tie-ups with Cab Aggregators: The government has collaborated with cab service providers like Uber and Ola to facilitate employment opportunities for beneficiaries in urban areas. Drivers under this scheme can attach their vehicles to ride-hailing platforms and earn regular income.
5. Simplified Application Process: Applications are accepted both online through the Punjab Ghar Ghar Rozgar Portal and offline via DBEE offices. The process involves verification, bank appraisal, and vehicle allotment.
6. Skill Development and Training: Beneficiaries receive basic training in driving, vehicle maintenance, digital payment handling, and customer service through government-approved driving schools or skill centres.
7. Priority to Youth and Unemployed Individuals: The scheme primarily targets unemployed youth aged 21–45 years who possess a valid driving licence and meet the prescribed eligibility criteria.
8. Support for Electric Vehicles (EVs): With growing emphasis on green mobility, the scheme also encourages the adoption of eco-friendly vehicles, offering incentives for electric or hybrid models.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply under the Apni Gaddi Apna Rojgar Scheme, applicants must:

• Be a resident of Punjab.
• Be unemployed or seeking self-employment.
• Be between 21 and 45 years of age.
• Possess a valid driving licence for the category of vehicle applied for.
• Not be a defaulter with any financial institution.
• Be able to contribute a minimum margin amount (as prescribed by the bank).

Preference is given to individuals from rural areas, Scheduled Castes, women, and differently-abled persons, in line with Punjab’s inclusive employment policy.

Application and Selection Process

1. Applicants register through the Ghar Ghar Rozgar Portal (www.pgrkam.com) or visit the District Bureau of Employment and Enterprise (DBEE).
2. Applications are verified for eligibility by district committees.
3. The bank sanctions the vehicle loan after due appraisal.
4. The applicant selects a vehicle model and completes purchase formalities.
5. The vehicle is registered in the applicant’s name, and the loan repayment schedule begins.

District-level officers monitor progress, ensuring that beneficiaries have commenced operations and are earning as expected.

Achievements and Impact

Since its launch, the Apni Gaddi Apna Rojgar Scheme has received positive public response and contributed significantly to Punjab’s employment generation targets:

• Thousands of youth across districts such as Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala, and Jalandhar have benefited from vehicle financing support.
• The scheme has strengthened last-mile connectivity, especially in rural areas, aiding both passenger transport and agricultural logistics.
• Tie-ups with cab aggregators have enabled beneficiaries to earn steady incomes averaging ₹15,000–₹25,000 per month, depending on usage and locality.
• The programme has indirectly supported ancillary sectors such as automobile servicing, insurance, and fuel distribution.

Challenges

While the scheme has been widely appreciated, certain challenges persist:

• Loan repayment defaults due to fluctuating income levels in the transport sector.
• Rising fuel prices affecting profitability of vehicle owners.
• Limited awareness in remote regions regarding eligibility and documentation requirements.
• Need for continued market linkages with logistics, cab, and delivery services to ensure sustained employment.

The government continues to address these challenges through awareness campaigns, skill training, and financial literacy workshops.

Integration with Broader Employment Policies

The Apni Gaddi Apna Rojgar Scheme functions as an integral component of Punjab’s Ghar Ghar Rozgar Mission, which also includes initiatives such as:

• Apni Beeti Apna Karobar Scheme (for small business loans)
• Rozgar Melas (employment fairs for job seekers)
• Skill Development Centres under the Punjab Skill Development Mission

Together, these schemes aim to create a comprehensive employment ecosystem, blending wage-based and self-employment opportunities.

Significance

The Apni Gaddi Apna Rojgar Scheme represents Punjab’s forward-looking approach to tackling unemployment through entrepreneurship rather than dependency. It empowers individuals to become micro-entrepreneurs, contributes to the state’s economic dynamism, and strengthens the transport infrastructure vital to trade, tourism, and services.