Self-employment scheme starts delivering in Chamba

Aimed at addressing unemployment, the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Startup Scheme of the Himachal Pradesh government has started yielding results in Chamba where it is transforming the lives of unemployed youth.

Under the scheme, the state government provides a 50% subsidy to the youth for purchasing e-taxis. These electric taxis have been attached to various government offices, ensuring a guaranteed monthly income of Rs 50,000 per vehicle. This initiative has brought newfound stability and self-reliance to their lives.

Several beneficiaries of the scheme, including Praveen Kumar Chandesh Kumar, Jagtar Singh, Rakesh Kumar, Deep Kumar and Ajit Kumar, expressed their gratitude to the government, highlighting how the scheme has alleviated the financial challenges they previously faced while operating private taxis.

High fuel costs and intense competition had made earning a livelihood difficult. With the electric vehicles now linked to government departments, they enjoy a steady income, reduced operational costs, and the satisfaction of contributing to an eco-friendly transportation model.

Describing the e-taxis as a reliable source of income and a step toward sustainable living, they said the initiative was not only empowering youth through self-employment but also significantly contributing to Himachal Pradesh’s mission to create a cleaner, greener environment.

Chamba Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal lauded the initiative emphasising its dual benefits of generating self-employment and promoting a pollution-free environment. He noted that the scheme was part of a broader strategy to phase out older vehicles in government departments and replace them with e-vehicles in a systematic manner.

Arvind Chauhan, District Employment Officer, said beneficiaries receive a 50% subsidy and bank loans for up to 40% of the vehicle cost at an interest rate of 7.9%, while the remaining 10% is covered by the beneficiaries themselves. The scheme also ensures that these e-taxis are attached to government offices for four to five years, providing sustained financial security.

“To date, 19 applicants in Chamba district have sought benefits under the scheme, with eight already having purchased electric vehicles while seven others are in the process of completing the necessary formalities for deployment. The remaining applications are under review, with further action pending verification of documents,” he said.

The District Employment Office, Chamba, encourages aspiring beneficiaries to visit their office for detailed information about the scheme.