Una, January 7- Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Startup Yojana of Himachal Government is proving to be a boon for the youth of the state. With this scheme, many youth of the state are not only becoming self-reliant, but this scheme has also become a milestone in the direction of green development and environmental protection in the state.
The story of 29-year-old Hardeep Kumar of Rampur of Una subdivision, who is among the beneficiaries of the scheme, has become a source of inspiration for everyone. Hardeep, who once used to run a salon, took advantage of the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Startup Yojana and took an e-taxi on government subsidy. Now his e-taxi is attached to Jal Shakti Department Una, from where he is getting a fixed income of 50 thousand rupees every month. This change has brought self-reliance and stability in his life.
Like Hardeep, the lives of other beneficiaries of Una district, Sanjeev, 41, of Badhera and Ashok Kumar, 44, of Dulahad, have also become prosperous due to the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Startup Yojana. Earlier, both of them, who used to drive private taxis, were facing high oil prices and tough competition. But under this scheme, both of them bought electric cars, which were attached with the Jal Shakti Department as e-taxis. Now they are getting a fixed income of Rs 50,000 each every month and are experiencing happy prosperity in their lives.
According to the information received from the department at the state level, at present more than 125 applications have been received from across the state in this scheme, which are being approved in a phased manner. These include three beneficiaries from Una district. As more applications are received, they will also be approved.

Provision of 50 percent subsidy to beneficiaries
Una District Employment Officer Akshay Sharma says that a provision has been made for the youth to buy e-taxis on subsidy. Under the scheme, beneficiaries are being provided bank loans at the rate of 50 percent subsidy and 7.9 percent interest on 40 percent. Apart from this, the remaining 10 percent money has to be given by the beneficiary. The government has also made arrangements that these taxis will be attached with government departments, for which the beneficiaries will be provided Rs 50 thousand per month.
He further explains that under the scheme, electric vehicles have been divided into A, B, C and D categories. Electric vehicles up to 15 lakhs have been kept in A category, 15 to 20 lakhs in B category, 20 to 30 lakhs in C category and vehicles above 30 lakhs in D category. Vehicles will be attached to departments according to category.

Promotion of operation of e-vehicles in departments
Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal says that the state government has taken decisive steps towards making green Himachal along with providing means of self-employment to the youth through Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Startup Yojana. In the state, old vehicles of government departments are being replaced with e-vehicles in a phased manner and operation of e-taxi has been encouraged in the departments. In such a situation, new opportunities for employment, stability and prosperity have been created by taking e-taxi on government subsidy under Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Startup Yojana.

Strong means of more income at low cost
The beneficiaries have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri for this youth-friendly scheme. They say that e-taxi has become a strong means of more income for them at low cost, which has brought happiness and stability in life. Driving an e-vehicle is not only easy, but it is also pollution free and environment friendly. This scheme of the state government is proving to be a boon for unemployed youth, as well as an important step towards making the environment of Himachal Pradesh clean.