E-taxi scheme launched, 500 permits will be issued in the first phase: Sukhu

He said, along with e-taxi, the state government is also providing 50 percent subsidy on the purchase of e-bus and e-truck.
Shimla/Usha Sharma: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu launched the e-taxi scheme under the first phase of Rs 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme here today. He launched the website of the Transport Department to provide the facility to register online for e-taxi, through which applicants can get themselves registered by visiting this website within a period of one month.
The Chief Minister said that in the first phase, 500 permits will be issued for e-taxi and in the coming time, the number of permits will be increased based on the demand. He said that the state government will provide e-taxi to the government departments in a phased manner to provide sure source of income to the unemployed youth. He said that the state government is also giving 50 percent subsidy to the youth for the purchase of e-taxi. Along with this, the conditions for taking loan under this scheme will also be relaxed.
Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that along with providing employment, this scheme will prove to be a milestone in reducing air pollution and making Himachal Pradesh a green energy state by 31 March 2026. He said that along with e-taxi, the state government is also providing 50 percent subsidy on the purchase of e-bus and e-truck. He said the state government has also issued 24 permits for e-buses to private bus operators. He said that this is the first scheme of its kind in the country. He said that infrastructure for charging of e-vehicles is being prepared in the state. 17 e-charging stations will be ready in the next two months and along with this the Transport Department is also setting up e-charging stations. He said that the state government is converting all the diesel buses of Himachal Road Transport Corporation into e-buses in a phased manner and 300 e-buses are being purchased in the first phase.
The Chief Minister said that in the second phase of Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme, youth will be encouraged to set up solar energy projects, so that they can get means of livelihood. The draft of this scheme is also being finalized and soon this scheme will also be launched. He said that in the third phase of the scheme, subsidy will be provided to the youth for agriculture related works. A plan is being prepared to provide 90 percent subsidy to them for fish production, on which the department has also been instructed to work.
On this occasion, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sanjay Awasthi, MLAs Kuldeep Singh Rathore and Bhawani Singh Pathania, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Bharat Khera, Principal Secretary RD Nazim, Secretary Home Dr. Abhishek Jain, Labor Commissioner. Mansi Sahay Thakur, Director Transport Anupam Kashyap and other dignitaries were present.

All the promises made in the promissory note are being fulfilled.
CM Sukhu said that all the promises made in the manifesto of the Congress party are being fulfilled. Bringing start-up scheme for the youth was also a promise of Congress, which has been fulfilled. He said that the state government has fulfilled its promise made to the government employees by restoring the old pension in the very first cabinet meeting and all the promises will be fulfilled.