Dharamshala, June 30
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced to cut down the minimum fare in state buses from Rs seven to Rs five. The government extended this benifit first time after decline in the prices of fuel in the country. Chief Minister made the announcement to cut down the minimum fare in a ceremony where he was issued ticket of Rs five by a conductor in HRTC at Dharmshala on Thursday.
He was presiding a state level function ‘Naari Ko Naman’. Thakur also launched 50 percent concession to women on bus fare in HRTC buses to be effective from July 1 in the state. It is recalled that state government decided to provide additional funds to the tune of Rs. 30 crore to HRTC to compensate the public bus operator to bear the burden on concessions, which is currently in debt trap of around Rs 1,500 crore.
Chief Minister said scheme to provide 50 percent concession in the fare of Himachal Road Transport Corporation buses to women passengers was announced on Himachal Day function on April 15. State Government would spend about Rs. 60 crore annually on the scheme since as many as 1.25 lakh women travel in the HRTC buses daily. This concession on bus fares to women is not a political move, rather it is a small step towards our resolve to strengthen women power, he added.
Thakur also announced to fill up of 265 posts of motor mechanics, electricians and employees of other categories, and 25 posts of women drivers for ‘Ride With Pride’ in the Taxis of HRTC. He said that it was during his tenure as Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister that 50 percent reservation was provided to women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies in 2010 with an aim to ensure participation of women in the process of development.
Thakur said that over 58 percent seats were won by the women in those elections and today this percentage has gone up to 60, which shows empowerment of women.
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