Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Pradesh Govt Offers Up to 40% Subsidy for Youth to Buy Buses, Traveller Vehicles in Tribal Areas
The Himachal Pradesh government has announced up to 40% subsidy and road tax exemption for youth purchasing transport vehicles in tribal areas, alongside incentives for solar projects and major infrastructure upgrades.
Chairing the 50th meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Tribal Advisory Council here today, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that the state government will provide a subsidy of up to 40 per cent to eligible youth for the purchase of buses and traveller vehicles. In addition, beneficiaries will receive an exemption from road tax for four months. The initiative aims to generate livelihood opportunities through the transport sector, particularly in the state’s tribal regions.
The Chief Minister said the government was giving top priority to employment and self-employment generation for youth. To further promote entrepreneurship in tribal areas, he announced interest subsidies for setting up private solar power projects with capacities ranging from 250 kW to 1 MW, encouraging participation in the renewable energy sector.
Sukhu directed officials to expedite the tendering process for development works in snow-bound areas so that construction activities could begin by March–April. To address persistent power supply issues in Pangi and Spiti, he said solar power plants of 1.2 MW at Dhanwas (Pangi) and 2 MW at Rong-tong (Spiti) would be made operational soon.
The Chief Minister also said the state government was actively pursuing the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Shipki La and had taken up the matter strongly with the Central government. Efforts were also underway to revive trade activities with Tibet.
Highlighting development indicators in tribal regions, Sukhu said these areas had witnessed unprecedented progress, with higher per capita income compared to other districts and a better male-female sex ratio than the state average. He reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding women’s rights, especially in tribal belts.
Announcing infrastructure initiatives, Sukhu said a new road would be constructed at Nigulsari, a landslide-prone bottleneck on National Highway-5, and assured focused efforts to strengthen uninterrupted connectivity in Kinnaur district.
Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi informed that land had been transferred for new campuses of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Pangi, Bharmour and Lahaul. Construction work is already underway at the Pangi and Lahaul campuses, while the CPWD is completing formalities for the Bharmour project. He added that Rs 638.73 crore has been allocated for the Tribal Area Development Programme for 2025–26.
