Himachal opens self-employment avenues for the youth, launches e-taxi scheme

Initiating measures towards providing self-employment opportunities to the youth of the state as promised in the election manifesto, the state government has launched the e-taxi scheme under the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Yojna.

To avail of the benefits of this scheme, the applicant should be a minimum of 23 years of age and possess a valid driving permit and will have to apply on the website http://etaxihpdt.org/home   It is also mandatory for him to have a bonafide Himachali certificate and will have to drive the e-taxi himself and not sublet it to others.  It is further clarified that only one person from a family can avail the benefits of this scheme. After completing all the formalities, the applicant will have to apply for permission through the online portal of the Transport Department. The RTO-level committee will scrutinize the applications and select the beneficiaries.

In the first phase, 500 permits will be issued for e-taxi and the number of permits can be increased in the future depending upon the demand. To provide a fixed source of income to the unemployed youth, e-taxi will be made available to government departments, local authorities, autonomous bodies, boards, corporations, and government undertakings in a phased manner. The monthly fare rates have been divided into four categories, Along with guaranteeing employment and start-ups to the youth, this scheme will realize the dream of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for making Himachal Pradesh a ‘Green Energy State’ by 31 March 2026 besides creating self-employment avenues for the youth.

Government departments requiring e-taxi will be given a user ID and password to upload their demand on the portal. The 50 percent subsidy for the purchase of e-taxi will be provided through the Labour and Employment Department. Along with this, the conditions for taking a loan under this scheme will also be relaxed.

 “In the assembly elections, the Congress Party had promised to bring a start-up scheme for the youth, which has been completed. This is the first phase of the Rs 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme and soon the second and third phases of this scheme will also be started, “, stated the Chief Minister.  The government has already fulfilled the promise of providing old pensions to the government employees of Himachal, he remarked.