Munish Sood
MANDI:
For 28-year-old Manish Kumar from Narkanda and 30-year-old Anil Kumar from Nankhari, success didn’t come through a corporate job or migration to a big city but through the driver’s seat of an electric taxi. Both are among a growing tribe of Himachali youths rewriting their destinies through the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Startup Scheme (RGSSY), an initiative that has become a beacon of opportunity and sustainability in the hill state.
Manish Kumar beams with pride as he recounts how he purchased a ₹26 lakh e-taxi under the scheme last year. With a government subsidy of nearly ₹12 lakh, he now earns about ₹75,000 a month by providing transport services to the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat in Shimla. “This scheme didn’t just give me a vehicle—it gave me dignity, stability, and self-respect,” he says.
Similarly, Anil Kumar from Nankhari found his path to self-reliance when his electric vehicle was contracted with the Jal Shakti Department in Rampur. “I no longer have to look for employment; my e-taxi has given me both livelihood and respect in society,” he says. Their stories mirror hundreds of others across Himachal Pradesh where young men and women have turned from job seekers into entrepreneurs—thanks to this visionary state-backed initiative.
New direction for Himachal’s youth
Launched to encourage self-employment, the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Startup Scheme has provided a fresh direction to Himachal’s youth, blending livelihood creation with environmental responsibility. The initiative offers 50% subsidy, 40% bank loan, and requires only 10% self-investment by the beneficiary to purchase an electric taxi.
Once sanctioned, these vehicles are attached to government departments, boards, and public sector organizations on fixed-term contracts—ensuring the owners a steady monthly income of about ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. The government guarantees contracts for five years, extendable by another two years, giving young drivers long-term security.
The scheme also fits seamlessly with Himachal Pradesh’s commitment to sustainability and clean energy. As electric vehicles gain traction across the state, the RGSSY has emerged as a driving force behind this transformation. The program has not only reduced youth unemployment but also promoted eco-friendly mobility and carbon reduction.
So far, 79 eligible candidates have received subsidies worth ₹5.64 crore, with dozens more applications in process. In the 2025–26 financial year, the state government has allocated ₹66.41 crore for the program, reflecting its growing importance in the rural economy.
On July 5, 2025, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu flagged off 20 electric taxis from the state secretariat. These vehicles—operated by beneficiaries from Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Una districts—received a combined subsidy of ₹1.30 crore. Again, on October 15, 2025, another 18 electric taxis were launched from Oak Over, the Chief Minister’s official residence, benefiting candidates from Shimla, Solan, Kinnaur, Kullu, Kangra, Sirmaur, Hamirpur, and Chamba with over ₹1.28 crore in financial aid.
Notably, six beneficiaries from Shimla district alone have been sanctioned ₹53.44 lakh in subsidies. These numbers underline the scheme’s expanding reach and its growing role in reshaping Himachal’s employment landscape.
To make the process transparent and accessible, the Labour, Employment and Foreign Employment Department launched a dedicated online portal in August 2024, enabling eligible youth to apply digitally. Applicants need to upload basic documents like residence proof, Aadhaar, income and education certificates, driving license, and experience proof.
Eligibility criteria require the applicant to be a permanent resident of Himachal Pradesh, at least 23 years old, and possess a valid driving license. Even Class 10 and 12 pass candidates with 7–10 years of driving experience can apply. However, only one person per family can avail of the benefit, and the beneficiary must personally drive the vehicle.
Empowering the next generation
The Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Startup Scheme stands as a testament to Himachal Pradesh’s commitment to creating an inclusive, sustainable, and self-reliant economy. It not only provides a livelihood to unemployed youth but also aligns with the state’s larger mission of promoting green technology and environment-friendly infrastructure.
Manish Kumar sums up the spirit of the initiative aptly: “The government didn’t just give me a subsidy—it gave me a future.”
