This document discusses empowering cycle rickshaw pullers in India through social and financial inclusion. It notes that there are over 5 million rickshaw pullers who earn low, unstable incomes and lack access to basic services and welfare programs due to illiteracy and lack of identification. A solution proposes connecting rickshaw pullers to the financial system by forming self-help groups and cooperative societies linked to banks, innovating rickshaw designs with solar power and gear systems, and generating additional income through rickshaw advertisements and power generation from pedaling. The strategy involves forming a rickshaw puller federation to obtain ID cards and partnerships with manufacturers, advertisers, and banks.

1. Manthan Topic :
Protecting the Vulnerable: Providing social welfare to
informal sector workers
Empowerment of Cycle Rickshaw pullers
Empowering Cyle Rickshaw pullers at very low cost and through
Innovation
Team Details :
Zulfiqar Sheth, Rahul Tejwani, Anar Bhatt, Reem Ashraf, Mohd.Waseem

2. Income Distribution
Food & Rent Electricity Entertainment Education and health
There are 5 million rickshaw pullers in India. A random survey across the country
reveals that 95% of rural migrants and unemployed men pull rickshaws to earn their
bread on a daily-hire basis and continue that way throughout their lives. They are
denied use of the post office or bank. Many who seek credit to purchase a new
rickshaw become victims of high interest rates. To understand the problem in detailed
a sample survey was conducted in Aligarh by AMU students which revealed following
results. Diagram showing the bifurcation of the income spending structure and total
earnings

3. Problem
This marginalised section of the society who lives
in “hand to mouth” scenario hasn’t been able to
connect to the booming growth of Indian
economy and have low savings consuming all
they earn. Due to Higher rate of illiteracy or being
homeless they even don’t have their birth
certificates, or any records related their identity
and that is why they are unable to participate in
the financial institutions and other welfare
schemes. Their situation is aggravated because
of their tendency to migrate frequently. In this
situation social security schemes are seems very
difficult to reach them. If they are not
beneficiaries of welfare schemes of government
then how will they empower?
Moreover, present cycle rickshaw is traditional
and highly economic inefficient. We can use
these rickshaws as source of power generation,
means of advertisement and part time income
generation for RPs apart from the Rickshaw
pulling and many more …

4. Solution Statement
•Inclusion of Rickshaw Pullers in Financial System :
•Making Self help groups , cooperative societies
and Connecting them with banks
•Providing bank account free of charge on the
basis of their biometric identity like finger prints
etc

5. Solution Statement
•Making rickshaw pulling easier
•Innovation in Rickshaw by modern technology
like equipping them with solar lamp, gear system
and roof.

6. Solution Statement
•Alternative source of earning through rickshaw
•Using three sides of rickshaw for advertisement.
•Equipping rickshaw with battery and – making
system to recharge battery through paddle pulling.
These batteries can be used to light a lamp or
tube light or even a fan for 7-8 hours.

7. Solution Implementation Strategy
• Making Federation of cycle rickshaw pullers and selecting office bearers among
them
• To enable them to have an ID card.
•Connecting this federation with
• Cycle Rickshaw manufacturers for design
Innovation and battery fitting
• Corporate for advertising
• Making self help groups and registering them with Banks .