Subsidy of Rs. 5.64 crore provided to 79 eligible youth so far
Punjab Newsline, Shimla-
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today flagged off 18 e-taxis from his official residence, Oakover, under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgaar Start-up Yojna (RGSSY).
The beneficiaries include four youth from Shimla, three each from Kangra and Kinnaur, two each from Chamba, Kullu, and Solan, and one each from Hamirpur and Sirmaur districts. The State Government provided a total subsidy of Rs. 1.28 crore for the purchase of these e-taxis. Under the scheme, the Government offers 50 percent subsidy on e-taxi purchases and so far Rs. 5.64 crore has been disbursed to 79 eligible youth across the State.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister said that the initiative would not only provide gainful employment to the youth but also would ensure assured income for five years by attaching these e-taxis with government departments and corporations, with a provision for a two-year extension. He added that this step would also help reduce the financial burden of the State. During the current financial year, the Government has already provided Rs. 2.72 crore as subsidy for 40 eligible youth under this scheme, stated the Chief Minister.
Highlighting the Government’s commitment to green initiatives, the Chief Minister stated that Rs. 66.41 crore has been allocated for the purchase of electric vehicles in the current financial year, reinforcing the State’s efforts to preserve the environment and make Himachal Pradesh a Green State.
Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLA's Ashish Butail, Sanjay Awasthy, Hardeep Bawa, and Ranjit Rana, Congress leader Surender Mankotia, Secretary Labour and Employment Priyanka Basu Ingty, Commissioner Labour and Employment Virender Sharma, and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.