Nagpur, Jul 2: Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday came under attack from opponents for allegedly promoting the use of e-rickshaws for the benefit of a company run by his wife's brother.
Reacting to the disclosure of links between Purti Green Technologies Private Limited (PGTL), one of the manufacturers of e-rickshaws, where Gadkari's brother-in-law Rajesh Totade is a director with 50% stake, Congress, AAP and CPM attacked the minister who last month boosted the use of the battery-operated three-wheelers by declaring that these would be exempt from the Motor Vehicles Act.
PGTL was formed under the Purti Group which was promoted by Gadkari though he resigned as chairman of the Group in 2011.
Even the BJP-ruled Nagpur Municipal Corporation in its budget presented on Tuesday announced for the first time that Rs 3 crore will be set aside to purchase e-rickshaws (solar or battery operated) that will then be distributed to handicapped people. At approximately Rs 1 lakh a piece, which is the cost of 'Maxi', 300 units can be purchased.
Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh said Gadkari is a businessman first and a politician next. "It is natural that whatever he is doing is what he should be doing," said Singh underlining Gadkari's links with Purti Group, an association which had sparked a controversy leading the minister's resignation as BJP president.
AAP which is locked in a serious competition with BJP for the sympathy of burgeoning numbers operating e-rickshaws said Gadkari's "established link" pointed to a conflict of interest and accused him of camouflaging his business concerns as public interest and demanded that he be divested of the road transport portfolio.
CPM leader Sitaram Yechury also expressed suspicions about the conduct of Gadkari.
Gadkari, however, shrugged off the charge. He denied any link with PGTL which is one of the seven companies authorized by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research to manufacture e-rickshaws. "Neither Shri Gadkari nor any member of his family is associated with any e-rickshaw manufacturing firm," BJP and minister's office claimed in identical statements.
The statements also emphasized the fact that the use of e-rickshaws predates Gadkari's taking charge of the road transport ministry. "More than two lakh e-rickshaws are already operating in Delhi NCR and other parts of the country", the statements emphasized, adding that anybody could apply to the CSIS for a licence to manufacture e-rickshaws and that it was up to the body to give a license.
Totade too issued a signed statement refuting any indirect gains from Gadkari's decision. PGTPL has been making these vehicles under the brand name 'Maxi' since around 2 years.
At last year's Agro Vision Fair, Gadkari had announced a tie-up between Purti and Deendayal Trust — a charitable organization — to part fund the cost of e-rickshaws for those manual rickshaw pullers who were keen on graduating to the new mode. Interestingly, the Trust's office is located at Gadkari's residence in Mahal.
Gadkari has been promoting e-rickshaws as an alternative to cycle rickshaws. 'Maxi' was showcased last year in the Agro Vision fair — an annual farmers' exhibition patronized by Gadkari. He aims to introduce at least 2,500 e-rickshaws in the city to replace cycle rickshaws. Prior to the Lok Sabha elections, Gadkari's volunteers had reportedly contacted cycle rickshaw pullers and loans were arranged through the Mahal Sahakari Pat Sanstha — a credit cooperative society.
Gadkari did not issue any clarification on the working of Deendayal Trust.
The factory where the e-rickshaws are made is popularly known as M/s Nikhil Furnitures unit located in MIDC's Hingna estate. One of the places where details of 'Maxi' can be had is at a Sitabuldi furniture shop run by Gadkari's old friend Vijay Kewalramani. During Gadkari's early political days, the shop was where he could be contacted.
Nikhil is also the name of Gadkari's elder son. A cabin for 'Nikhil Sir' is demarcated in the office of Purti Alternative Fuels from where too pamphlets of 'Maxi' are available. It is not known who the 'Nikhil Sir' is. However, the statements issued by PGPTL and Gadkari's office refuted any family links.
TOI learns that the rickshaws are made at the unit in Hingna with the engine being imported from China as there are no manufacturers in India. The Maxi, which is available for Rs 1 lakh or so, comes in passenger and loader variants.
Another e-mail reply from PGTPL claimed that Gadkari's family too had no link or stakes in this business. "The company had a small capacity and was only marginally contributing towards the growing demand of e-rickshaws which are a popular and reasonable mode of transport unlike the cycle rickshaw in which man pulls man. The lifting of ban on e-rickshaws will not benefit this company in any manner," said the statement.
Deendayal Trust director Dr Viral Kamdar said the organization has not finalized any plans for funding e-rickshaws even though Gadkari had come up with a proposal some time ago. Kamdar said the Trust basically works in the health sector carrying out programmes such as checkup camps for the poor on daily basis, distribution of spectacles and generic medicines. "The funds come from donations," said Kamdar who is associated with the Trust since last year even though it has been active from around 2010.
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