Punjab Newsline, Shimla-
With a view to realise the vision of Natural and Green State, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that the State has made rapid strides in this direction. "The word 'Natural' not only highlights the natural beauty of our State but it also reflects the government's perspective towards development and environment", he said. Be it the agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, forestry, industry or transport sector, our consistent effort is to ensure that our vision for development and its principles are Natural, he remarked.
Our government has taken effective steps to develop the State as a Green Energy State by March 31, 2026, stated Sh. Sukhu, adding further that if we use almost 90 percent renewable or green energy sources for the State's total energy consumption, (which is approximately 14,000 million units), we can truly call ourselves a Green State directly benefiting the industrial and agricultural production in the State. The state is progressing rapidly in this direction, he said.
The state government is promoting e-buses in HRTC's fleet by converting the transport fleet into e-vehicles. The greenhouse gas emissions which were approximately 16-20 percent from the transport sector has been considerably reduced. To provide clean and green transport to the people of the state, including tourists, the government is converting diesel buses into e-buses in a phased manner. The HRTC has issued tenders to purchase 297 electric buses at a cost of Rs 412 crore and charging stations are also being set up at bus stations at a cost of Rs 124 crore. In addition to the purchase of these e-buses, 500 more e-buses will be purchased in the financial year 2025-26. He said that this measure of the government was proving to be helpful in protection and conservation of environmental recourses besides minimizing air pollution.
The Chief Minister said that the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-up Yojana has proved to be a boon for the unemployed youth of the State wherein 50 percent subsidy was being provided for the purchase of e-taxis. These e-taxis have also been attached to various government departments, corporations, boards and other institutions. Under the e-taxi scheme, so far approx 50 e-taxis have been attached to government departments. So far approximately Rs. 4.22 crore has been disbursed to 59 eligible youth and subsidy to 61 more beneficiaries would be released shortly. He said that this would not only provide gainful employment to youth, but also ensure assured income for a period of five years by attaching them with government offices and with a provision of two years extension.
He said that six green corridors are being constructed in the state and soon 41 additional charging stations would be set up in these corridors. The present government has provided 100 percent exemption in the road tax and 50 per cent exemption in the special road tax on registration of e-commercial vehicles. With the aim of protecting the environment, all petrol and diesel auto rickshaws operating in the state are being replaced with e-auto rickshaws, he remarked.
He said that with the aim of providing self-employment opportunities to the youth, the government is also providing new permits for 1,000 bus routes to the private sector besides subsidy of up to 40 per cent on e-buses and tempo travelers on specific routes.
As Himachal Pradesh is the lungs of North India, our efforts in the preservation of natural wealth will go long ahead in maintaining the balance of ecology and the environment. Our State offers ecological services, to the Nation in the form of soil, water, clean air and a favourable climate, he said. "It is unfortunate that so far, there has been no compensation for our opportunity cost in the form of green bonus and therefore, the state government has strongly advocated regarding Himachal's invaluable contribution with the Centre and the 16th Finance Commission ", he reiterated.
The Government will be initiating a technical and scientific evaluation of the contribution of Himachal Pradesh's ecological services to the Nation's environment which as per estimates, if gets through, can fetch approximately Rs. 90,000 crore annually for the State, said the Chief Minister.