Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Gram Gadi Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Transport Department, Government of Jharkhand, implements the Mukhyamantri Gram Gadi Yojana to provide reliable and regular public bus connectivity in the rural areas of the state. A large number of villages remain poorly connected because pure commercial bus operations on rural routes usually do not generate enough revenue to attract private operators. As a result, people in remote areas often have to walk long distances or depend on irregular and expensive private vehicles to reach block headquarters, schools, colleges, hospitals, and markets.

To address this gap, the government identifies suitable rural routes, notifies them officially, and then supports local individuals and private operators to purchase new buses and run them exclusively on those notified routes. Gram Gadi Scheme therefore serves a dual purpose: it brings organised bus service to villages that previously lacked it, and at the same time creates a supported livelihood opportunity for local bus owners. 

The scheme was officially framed through departmental resolutions issued on 13 October 2022 and 20 October 2023. After the Jharkhand Cabinet gave its approval for implementation on 18 October 2023, the Transport Department released a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). This official SOP is the main guiding document for the entire scheme. It clearly lays down the rules related to vehicle specifications, selection of operators, financial assistance, bus colour and markings, GPS requirements, day-to-day operations, exit process, and penalties.

Under the Mukhyamantri Gram Gadi Yojana, the government provides structured support to operators so that running buses on rural routes becomes financially viable. At the same time, eligible passengers - including senior citizens, students, persons with disabilities, women and recognised Jharkhand movement activists - are given free or concessional travel. Scheme buses are painted in a fixed light-blue colour with specific markings so that villagers can easily identify them.

Applications under the scheme are accepted throughout the year on a continuous, rolling basis at the office of the District Transport Officer (DTO) of the concerned district. There is no single last date for the entire state. Instead, applications received up to the 15th of every month are placed before the district selection committee in its next meeting. The process of inviting applications continues until all the officially notified rural routes of that district have been allotted. This flexible and decentralised system allows interested local residents to apply as and when routes become available, helping the scheme expand rural bus connectivity step by step across different parts of Jharkhand.

Scheme Benefits

The Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Gram Gadi Scheme provides various benefits to both private bus operators and rural passengers. The following benefits are available under the scheme:

Benefits for Operators

• Operators receive monthly financial assistance based on the actual operation of the bus on the allotted notified rural route. The amount is calculated according to the seating capacity of the vehicle and is released only after verification of GPS data.
• Full exemption from road tax is given to vehicles operating under the scheme. Permit fee, application fee, registration fee and fitness inspection fee are charged at a nominal rate of ₹1 each.
• Scheme buses receive priority at government bus stands and are exempted from stand fees, tolls and municipal entry fees.
• Permits are issued only for officially notified rural routes. The maximum route length permitted under the scheme is 125 km. Permits are renewable after five years subject to satisfactory performance.
• Vehicles must be new and must comply with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Benefits for Passengers

• This section describes how the scheme helps ordinary rural citizens.
• Villages get regular bus service on government-notified rural routes that connect them to block headquarters, district headquarters, schools, colleges, medical institutions, main roads and commercial centres.
• Free or concessional travel is provided to senior citizens, students, persons with disabilities (divyang), women and recognised Jharkhand movement activists.
• Scheme buses follow a fixed light-blue colour with specific markings, making them easy for villagers to identify.
• Every district maintains a grievance cell under the District Transport Officer and a dedicated e-mail ID for complaints related to non-operation or other issues.

Eligibility Requirements

This section lists the basic conditions that an applicant must fulfil to apply under the scheme.

• The applicant applies before the District Transport Officer of the district in the prescribed application form.
• The bus must have a seating capacity of 7 to 42.
• The bus must carry a GPS device fitted by a manufacturer authorised by the Central Government, and the owner must get it linked with the Transport Department's software.
• Only one member of a family can take the benefit, with a maximum of two buses. Family means husband, wife, and children.
• If the application comes from a company, the department approves only one director, again with a maximum of two buses.
• The applicant must choose at least three notified rural routes and mark them in order of preference.
• The applicant must attach a refundable bank guarantee of ₹10,000 in the name of the District Transport Officer.
• The applicant must agree to run the bus for at least one year from the date the permit is issued.

Required Documents

This section explains how interested persons can apply for the Gram Gadi Scheme.

• Application in the prescribed scheme form
• Refundable bank guarantee of ₹10,000 in the name of the District Transport Officer
• Caste certificate (if claiming ST/SC/Backward Class marks)
• Residence proof of the area through which the notified route passes (for local resident marks)
• Bank account details for receiving monthly financial assistance
• After selection: vehicle registration papers and permit application

Steps to Apply

There is no single statewide last date. Applications continue until all notified routes of the district are allotted. Unsuccessful applicants may re-apply by following the process below without extra charge by choosing different vacant routes.

• Check the list of notified rural routes and vacant routes at the District Transport Officer’s office.
• Obtain the prescribed application form from the DTO office.
• Select at least three notified rural routes and mark them in order of preference.
• Arrange a refundable bank guarantee of ₹10,000 in the name of the District Transport Officer.
• Submit the filled form along with all required documents and the bank guarantee at the DTO office.
• Applications received up to the 15th of a month (or the next working day if the 15th is a holiday) are considered in the committee meeting held after that month.
• After selection and sanction, register the bus and apply for the permit within one month (extendable by one more month in special cases by the DTO).
• Commence operations on the allotted route, keep the GPS device functional, and comply with all permit conditions.
• Claim monthly special financial assistance in the first week of every month; the DTO settles the claim within two weeks after GPS verification.

Rules to Follow After Selection

This section covers the main operational rules that selected operators must follow.

• The bus body shall be light blue. A white strip (20 cm wide) shall be painted on the upper edge of the windscreen and on both outer sides of the body. On this strip, the words “Mukhyamantri Gram Gadi” and the route name shall be written in green letters 16 cm high so that they are readable from 25 metres.
• Regular operation on the allotted route is compulsory.
• Route change is permitted a maximum of 12 times in a year under special circumstances, but the starting point and destination cannot be changed.
• A maximum of three days of non-operation per month is allowed, provided you give prior written intimation to the DTO.
• GPS device must remain active and linked at all times, as monthly assistance depends on GPS data.

Selection Criteria and Extra Marks

Selection of beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Gram Gadi Yojana is done by a district-level committee through a transparent process. Preference is given to certain categories, and marks are awarded as per the official guidelines.

• Selection is carried out by a district-level committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner.
• Applications received till the 15th of every month (or the next working day) are considered in the committee meeting.
• In the first phase, permission is given for operating only one bus on one notified rural route.
• If more than one application is received for the same route, other applicants may be given the option to choose other notified routes in the next meeting.
• Extra marks are awarded as follows:

• Local Resident marks are given only to the person residing in the area through which the notified rural route passes.
• In case of equal marks, selection is done through lottery.
• Unsuccessful applicants can re-apply for other notified routes without any extra fee.
• Once all notified routes of the district are allotted, further applications are not accepted.
• After selection, the applicant must register the vehicle and apply for the permit within one month (extendable by one more month in special cases).

Exit from the Scheme and Penalties

The scheme has clear rules regarding the minimum period of operation and actions to be taken if an operator exits early or violates the conditions.

• The selected operator is expected to run the bus for a minimum period of one year from the date of the permit.
• If the operator wants to exit the scheme, they must follow the procedure prescribed in the official SOP and deposit the required amounts in the government treasury within the given time.
• In case of violation of scheme conditions, the District Transport Officer issues a show-cause notice.
• Penalties may include recovery of financial benefits given under the scheme, cancellation of benefits, or other actions as per the rules.
• The decision of the Transport Commissioner is final in case of any dispute.

Relevant Links

• Guidelines of Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Gram Gadi Yojana
• Transport Department, Government of Jharkhand

Contact Information

• Transport Department, Government of Jharkhand Contact Details
• Transport Department, Government of Jharkhand Helpdesk Email: [email protected]