States » NorthPosted at: Oct 16 2026 7:50PM


Taxi permit extension in Himachal to 15 years a promise kept, says Jai Ram Thakur

Shimla, Oct 16 (UNI) Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Friday said the promise to extend the validity of taxi permits in Himachal Pradesh from 12 to 15 years had been fulfilled, asserting that he had strongly taken up the issue with the Centre following a protest by taxi operators.
Thakur said he had intervened on August 28 to get the indefinite fast by the state’s Taxi Operators union called off after assuring them that their demand would be pursued. He said he had placed the concerns of taxi operators before the Central government and done everything possible from his side to secure the extension.
He alleged that had the state government made sincere and serious efforts earlier, the decision could have been secured without forcing taxi operators to resort to agitation and fasting.
Underlining the importance of the taxi industry to Himachal Pradesh’s tourism-dependent economy, Thakur said taxi operators played a crucial role in facilitating tourism and supporting the state’s transport sector.
Recalling the Covid-19 pandemic, the former Chief Minister said restrictions had brought tourism to a standstill, leaving taxis off the roads and severely affecting transport-related businesses.
He said his government had responded to the difficulties faced by transport operators during that period by waiving two years of taxes on taxis, buses and trucks.
Thakur added that the relief had also covered operators who had already deposited the applicable taxes, with the money returned to them.
He said the extension of taxi permit validity would provide relief to operators and reiterated that their concerns needed to be addressed through timely intervention rather than prolonged protests.
UNI BN
Tags: #Taxi permit extension in Himachal to 15 years a promise kept# says Jai Ram Thakur
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