Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday said Himachal offered ecological services to the nation in the form of soil, water, clean air, and a favourable climate. However, he expressed concern that the state has not received compensation in the form of a green bonus.
Sukhu said the government would initiate a technical and scientific evaluation of Himachal Pradesh’s ecological services to the nation’s environment.
According to estimates, if gets implemented, could fetch approximately Rs 90,000 crore annually for the state.
He said with a view to realising the vision of a Natural and Green State, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that the state government has made rapid progress in this direction.
“The word ‘Natural’ not only highlights the natural beauty of our state but also reflects the government’s perspective towards development and the environment,” he said.
“Be it agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, forestry, industry, or transport, our consistent effort is to ensure that our vision for development and its principles are natural,” he added.
He said the state government has taken effective steps to develop the state as a Green Energy State by March 31, 2026. He said if we use almost 90 per cent renewable or green energy sources for the state’s total energy consumption, which is approximately 14,000 million units, we can truly call ourselves a Green State, directly benefiting industrial and agricultural production. The state is progressing rapidly in this direction, he said.
He said the government is promoting e-buses in HRTC’s fleet by converting transport fleet into e-vehicles. Greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector, previously around 16–20 per cent, have been considerably reduced.
“To provide clean and green transport to the people of the state, including tourists, the government is converting diesel buses into e-buses in a phased manner. The HRTC has issued tenders to purchase 297 electric buses at a cost of Rs 412 crore and charging stations are also being set up at bus stations at a cost of Rs 124 crore. In addition to the purchase of these e-buses, 500 more e-buses will be purchased in the financial year 2025-26,” he said.
He said these measures of the government were proving to be helpful in protecting and conserving environmental resources while minimising air pollution.
The Chief Minister said the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-up Yojana has benefitted unemployed youth of the state wherein 50 per cent subsidy was being provided for the purchase of e-taxis. These e-taxis have also been attached to various government departments, corporations, boards, and other institutions.
Under the e-taxi scheme, so far approximately 50 e-taxis have been attached to government offices. So far, Rs 4.22 crore has been disbursed to 59 eligible youth, and subsidies for 61 more beneficiaries will be released shortly. This initiative not only provides gainful employment to youth but ensures assured income for five years, with government offices and a provision of two-year extension.
He said six green corridors were being constructed in the state, and soon 41 additional charging stations would be set up along these corridors. The government has provided 100 per cent exemption in the road tax and 50 per cent exemption in the special road tax on registration of e-commercial vehicles. All petrol and diesel auto rickshaws in the state are being replaced with e-auto rickshaws, he remarked.
Sukhu said to provide self-employment opportunities to youth, the government is issuing new permits for 1,000 bus routes to the private sector, besides subsidy of up to 40 per cent for e-buses and tempo travelers on specific routes.
“As Himachal Pradesh is the lungs of North India, our efforts in the preservation of natural wealth will go long ahead in maintaining the balance of ecology and the environment,” he said.
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