"Government committed to promote ease of doing business ": Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at Labour and Employment Department meeting
Shimla, June 10
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chaired a review meeting of the Labour and Employment Department here on Tuesday.
He reviewed the various schemes being implemented by the department and directed that the benefits of these welfare programmes reach all eligible beneficiaries in a timely manner.
He directed the department to fully digitise the process of providing all services, including certificates and licences, so that people do not face any inconvenience in obtaining these documents.
CM Sukhu said that under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-up Yojana, 2023, a 50 per cent subsidy is being provided to youth for the purchase of e-taxis.
In the financial year 2026-27, 500 more youth will be provided a 50 per cent subsidy for purchasing e-taxis, for which a provision of Rs. 50 crore was being made in the budget. He said that during the financial year 2026-27, 500 youth would also be extended a 50 percent capital subsidy through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for the purchase of e-rickshaws.
The Chief Minister said that, to promote trade and industry in the State and encourage ease of doing business, the state government has amended the Himachal Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1969 and the related rules.
Under the amended provisions, the act would be implemented more effectively across the state and shops and commercial establishments have been permitted to operate round the clock. This would provide greater flexibility to businesses and enable consumers to shop at their convenience, he added.
He said that the government was making the compliance system more effective to further improve the ease of doing business while simultaneously strengthening the protection and welfare of workers.
Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary Priyanka Basu Ingty, Labour Commissioner Virender Sharma and other senior officers of the department were present in the meeting.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The e-taxi subsidy for youth is a fantastic initiative! With rising fuel costs and pollution, electric vehicles are the future. 50% subsidy will really help young entrepreneurs in Himachal. 👏 I hope the DBT process is transparent and reaches the intended beneficiaries quickly.
All this sounds good on paper, but will the small shopkeepers really benefit from 24x7 operation? Labour laws need to be enforced properly to prevent exploitation. The government should also focus on skill development and job creation, not just subsidies for vehicles. Ease of doing business must mean ease for the common man too.
Interesting developments in Himachal. The digitization of licenses and certificates is a universal need - glad to see them prioritizing that. The 24-hour shop policy is bold for a hill state; let's see how it works with tourism in mind. Hope they also address worker safety and minimum wage compliance.
As a small business owner in Shimla, I welcome the 24x7 opening. Tourists often complain about shops closing early. But we need clarity on electricity costs and security. The government should also ensure that big malls don't exploit this to push out local kirana stores.
Love the focus on e-rickshaws and e-taxis! Clean energy and youth employment - double benefit. Actually a very practical move for Himachal's hilly terrain where small vehicles are ideal. Hope the government also invests in charging infrastructure across the state.
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