Monday, 27 September 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the relief package for transporters (drivers, conductors and cleaners) affected by Covid-19 pandemic. Under this scheme, a total of 1,03,235 drivers, conductors and cleaners in the state will be provided Rs 2,000 per month for six months. Speaking on the occasion, Dhami said that the government is making consistent efforts to benefit all sections and businesses affected by the Covid pandemic. He said that the government will also consider surrender policy and hill endorsement rules. He said that all necessary arrangements are being made for the Char Dham Yatra in observance of Covid protocols. The state government recently took the big decision of decreasing aviation fuel tax by 18 per cent. Though this will decrease the tax received by the government the decision will benefit the state. The aviation companies will flock to Uttarakhand for refueling and night stay, which will directly benefit various local businesses, he said.
Transport minister Yashpal Arya thanked the CM for the relief package being provided to those in the transport business. Stating that economic activities in the state had been considerably affected during the pandemic, he added that despite limited resources, the state government had taken this decision in the interest of the transport business.
Transport secretary Ranjit Sinha informed that in the first phase of the scheme, 36,100 transport professionals will be provided Rs 2,000 per month via DBT for the next six months. These beneficiaries include 34,635 drivers, 930 conductors and 535 cleaners. The Transport department had prepared an online portal for the successful conduct of this scheme. Widely publicising the scheme, the department had invited applications from drivers, conductors and cleaners of public transport vehicles on the portal. The eligible beneficiaries had been listed after verification of the applications by the department, he added.
Transport commissioner Deependra Choudhary and others were also present on the occasion.
