A New Road to Success: How a Government Scheme is Driving Dreams
In a heartening example of a government initiative changing lives, two men from Himachal Pradesh have found stable employment and a brighter future through the state’s innovative e-taxi scheme.
Shankar Singh (45) from Bilaspur and Ramesh Kumar (50) from Hamirpur are the latest beneficiaries of the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Startup Scheme. This program is proving to be a powerful tool in helping local youth build sustainable livelihoods.
Both men have purchased electric vehicles with government support and now have their taxis securely deployed with government departments. Shankar’s vehicle is with the Deputy Commissioner’s office, while Ramesh’s is with the Bilaspur Sadar Block Development Office. The state provides a monthly payment of ₹59,000 (including GST) for each vehicle, which not only covers their loan installments easily but also leaves them with a savings of ₹15,000-20,000 each month.
For Shankar Singh, a taxi driver for over two decades who once worked on the 102 ambulance service, this scheme has brought unprecedented stability. “After reading about the e-taxi plan in the newspaper in 2023, I applied online,” he shares. “In 2025, I bought a ₹15 lakh electric vehicle, and by July, the government had attached it to a department. It has transformed our family’s life.”
Echoing this sentiment, Ramesh Kumar describes his previous driving work as lacking a stable income. Learning of the scheme in December 2023, he applied through a Lokmitra Kendra. “Now, with the assured monthly earnings, I can manage the vehicle installment without stress and secure my family’s needs,” he says gratefully.
The scheme provided a 50% subsidy on their electric vehicles, each worth ₹15 lakh. Both beneficiaries acknowledge that this is more than just financial aid—it’s a five-year guarantee of dignified employment.
They expressed their thanks to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, noting that this is the first state scheme to combine a substantial subsidy with a direct government employment guarantee. Their message to other unemployed youth is clear: “Take full advantage of this opportunity. It provides both financial help and job security.”
Official Perspective:
District Employment Officer, Bilaspur, Rajesh Mehta, confirmed that 16 people in the district have already benefited from the scheme, receiving a total subsidy of approximately ₹1.16 crore. All their e-taxis are now serving in various state government departments.
Deputy Commissioner Bilaspur, Rahul Kumar, reiterated the administration’s commitment. “Our goal is to implement these public welfare schemes with seriousness, ensuring they reach eligible individuals and empower them both financially and socially,” he stated.
