Tractor Owners in Kangra Get Relief as CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Assures End to Heavy Challans

In a significant relief for thousands of tractor owners in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra region, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has assured that the ongoing issue of heavy police challans will soon be resolved.

Speaking during the Budget session on March 31 in the Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister promised to put an end to what many tractor owners described as “harassment” through hefty fines and vehicle seizures.

Month-Long Crackdown Left Owners Struggling

For over a month, tractor owners in areas like Nurpur, Jawali, Indora, and Fatehpur had been facing strict police action. Many reported challans ranging from 15,000 to 45,000, along with the seizure of their tractor-trailers.

This crackdown severely impacted their daily livelihood, especially since a majority of these owners are small farmers and self-employed youth dependent on transporting construction materials like sand, gravel, and stone.

Union Applauds Government’s Move

The Shiv Shakti Tractors Union, representing affected tractor owners, welcomed the Chief Minister’s assurance.

Union president Gulabant Singh expressed gratitude and urged the government to go a step further by introducing a sustainable and farmer-friendly mining policy. He highlighted that many tractor owners had taken bank loans to purchase their vehicles and were providing affordable services to local communities.

Demand for Fair Mining Policy Gains Momentum

The CM also announced that the state government would soon work on a comprehensive mining policy aimed at addressing the concerns of tractor owners while ensuring regulatory balance.

This move is expected to bring long-term clarity and stability to thousands of families dependent on this sector.

Political Support Strengthens Protest

Former minister Rakesh Pathania, who played a key role in raising the issue, stated that the tractor owners’ concerns were genuine.

He pointed out that many of these individuals come from economically weaker backgrounds and had invested heavily through bank loans. The imposition of steep penalties had pushed them into financial distress.

Pathania also alleged that misinformation within the bureaucracy led to the misunderstanding of the ground reality, with actual fines being far higher than reported.

Hope Rises for Thousands of Families

With the Chief Minister’s assurance, hope has been rekindled among tractor owners across the lower Kangra region. While the announcement has brought immediate relief, all eyes are now on the government’s next step — the implementation of a fair and transparent mining policy.

For many families, this decision could mean the difference between financial struggle and stability.

Read Also : Himachal Pradesh Restores Power Subsidy: Big Relief for 6 Lakh Households as Electricity Costs Drop