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
More News

HRTC Nahan depot faces acute tyre shortage; over 15 routes suspended

16 Oct 2026 | 10:52 PM

Nahan, Oct 16 (UNI) The Nahan Depot of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) in Sirmaur district, once regarded as one of the corporation’s most profitable depots, is now grappling with a severe shortage of tyres, leaving buses off the roads, that has reportedly forced around 12 buses to remain idle for the past three days, disrupting public transport services and leading to the suspension of more than 15 routes.

see more..

Centre seeks report from Punjab over anti-drug activist's murder; family refuses to accept body for fourth day

16 Oct 2026 | 10:14 PM

Naresh Kumar
Mansa, Oct 16 (UNI) The Centre has sought a response from the Punjab government over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, even as his family refused to accept his body for the fourth consecutive day, insisting that their demands be met before his last rites are performed.

see more..

Sukhu lays foundation stone for Rs 33 78-cr indoor ice, roller skating rink in Dharamshala

16 Oct 2026 | 10:07 PM

Ashok Raina
Dharamshala, Oct 16 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday laid the foundation stone for an indoor ice skating-cum-roller skating rink at Sakoh in Kangra district, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 33.78 crore.

see more..

Delhi to restrict older commercial vehicles from Nov 1; Gurugram Police impound 206 vehicles in separate drives

16 Oct 2026 | 10:04 PM

Gurugram, Oct 16 (UNI) Gurugram Police on Friday warned transporters of tighter emission-based restrictions on commercial vehicles entering Delhi from November 1, while announcing the impounding of 206 vehicles in separate enforcement drives, including a motorcycle carrying 25 pending traffic challans worth Rs 1.11 lakh, a police spokesperson said. .

see more..

ECI instructs to set up polling stations in community halls in group housing societies and multi-storey buildings in UP polls

16 Oct 2026 | 9:55 PM

Lucknow, Oct 16 (UNI) In line with the Election Commission of India's announcement of the special summary revision of the photo voter list based on the eligibility date of January 1, 2027,Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa, held a meeting via video conferencing on Friday with all the District Electoral Officers, Sub-District Electoral Officers, and Electoral Registration Officers of the state to review the arrangement and rearrangement of polling stations.

see more..