CM Flags Off 18 E-Taxis Under RGSSY, Rs. 5.64 Crore Subsidy Disbursed to Youth Across Himachal.
Shimla:
In a major push towards youth empowerment and green mobility, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today flagged off 18 electric taxis (e-taxis) from his official residence, Oakover, under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgaar Start-up Yojna (RGSSY). The scheme is aimed at promoting self-employment among the youth while supporting the State’s commitment to sustainable transportation.
The 18 beneficiaries of this latest phase include youth from across the State — four from Shimla, three each from Kangra and Kinnaur, two each from Chamba, Kullu, and Solan, and one each from Hamirpur and Sirmaur. To support the purchase of these e-taxis, the State Government has provided a subsidy of Rs. 1.28 crore, offering a 50% financial subsidy per vehicle.
Highlighting the success of the initiative so far, the Chief Minister revealed that Rs. 5.64 crore has been disbursed to 79 eligible youth under the scheme across Himachal Pradesh. In the current financial year alone, Rs. 2.72 crore in subsidies has been extended to 40 youth.
Addressing the gathering, CM Sukhu emphasized the dual benefits of the program — generating employment and promoting clean energy. “This initiative not only ensures gainful self-employment for our youth but also provides an assured income for at least five years, as these e-taxis are being attached with various government departments and corporations,” he said. He added that the income support could be extended by two more years, providing financial stability to the beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister also underlined the Government’s strong commitment to environmental protection, stating that Rs. 66.41 crore has been earmarked for the purchase of electric vehicles in the current financial year. “Our goal is to make Himachal Pradesh a Green State, and initiatives like these bring us closer to that vision,” he said.
The event was attended by key dignitaries including Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLAs Ashish Butail, Sanjay Awasthy, Hardeep Bawa, and Ranjit Rana, Congress leader Surender Mankotia, Secretary Labour and Employment Priyanka Basu Ingty, and Commissioner Labour and Employment Virender Sharma, along with other senior officials.
The Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgaar Start-up Yojna continues to emerge as a flagship program for inclusive development and green growth, aligning economic empowerment with environmental sustainability in the hill State.
