Govt provided relief by waiving 100 pc tax to all commercial vehicles during epidemic: Himachal CM

Dharamsala, March 12, 2022: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government was also aware of the hardships faced by the transporters during the Covid-19 pandemic as this was the most severely affected sector during pandemic as such  the Government has  provided relief by waiving 100 percent tax to all commercial vehicles during the epidemic and loan amount of Rs. 11 crores were provided to stage carriage operators to run their buses smoothly under Interest Subvention Scheme on Working Capital. He said that the State provided tax relief for twenty months, which was probably maximum in the country as about Rs.120 crore benefits were provided to the transporters.

Jai Ram Thakur said that the transporters also played a crucial role in bringing back lakhs of youths back home who were stranded in various parts of the country during covid period.
 
Thakur while addressing the ‘Samman Samaroh’ of Himachal Pradesh Private Bus Operator’s Union at Dargola in Shahpur Vidhan Sabha area of Kangra district today said, “Under Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Transport Scheme unemployed youth would be given permits for buses upto 18 seater at concessional tax rates and as many as 107 routes have been identified under this scheme and have been advertised.”

Informing about the relief to electricity consumers in the state ,Jai Ram Thakur said, “ the State Government has decided that “Zero Billing” would be done for consumption of upto 60 units benefitting about 4.50 lakh consumers. cheaper electricity would also be provided at the subsidized rate of rupees 1 per unit which would benefit over 7 lakh consumers consuming between 61 to 125 units. The electricity rate would be 30 paise per unit for farmers.”

The Chief Minister said that he had announced in the budget to reduce the age limit for old age pension, irrespective of income to 60 years for all. He said that all such pensioners who were currently getting a pension of Rs.850 per month, will now get Rs.1,000 per month, whereas such pensioners who are currently getting a pension of Rs.1,000 per month, would now get Rs.1,500 per month and all such pensioners who were currently getting a pension of Rs.1,500 per month, will now get Rs.1,700 per month.
 He said that women in the age group 60 to 65 years would also be entitled to old age pension without any income limit. He said that 7.50 lakh beneficiaries would now benefit from Old Age Pension Schemes and an amount of Rs. 1,300 crore would be spent.
 
The Chief Minister announced the opening of the Model Career Centre in Shahpur constituency. He also announced opening of Veterinary dispensaries at Kutharna and Tatwani, upgradation of PHC Chari to CHC and Rs 1 crore for building of CHC Lang. He said that the matter for construction of an indoor stadium at Shahpur would be taken up with the Government of India at the earliest.

Bus Operator’s Union Rajesh Prashar thanked the Chief Minister for providing much needed relief to the transporters which ensured that the private bus operators survived the testing time of pandemic. He also urged the Chief Minister to waive cess on green tax. He also urged him to introduce a single window for setting various issues of the operators.  
 
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sarveen Chaudhary ,Industries and Transport Minister Bikram Thakur, Former MLA Surender Kaku, District BJP president Chander Bhushan Nag, Chairman Zila Parishad Ramesh Brar, Director Transport Anupam Kashyap, Deputy Commissioner Kangra Dr. Nipun Jindal, Superintendent of Police Dr. Kushal Chand Sharma were also present on the occasion among others.