Bus rides to get dearer in Himachal Pradesh as cabinet approves 25% hike

SHIMLA: Travelling in Himachal Pradesh Roadways buses would be costlier as the government decided Monday to hike fare by around 25%, officials said.
The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has increased the fare by 24.44% in plain areas while 20.69% in hilly region.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held here Monday under the chairmanship of chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, officials said.
Terming the hike in bus fare as minimal, an official spokesperson said the minimum bus fare would now be Rs 6.
He said the hike has come after a long period of five years.
The fare approved are comparable with those prevailing in neighbouring states of Punjab and Uttrakhand, he added.
The fare hike is justified in view of sharp increase in diesel prices, he said.
The cabinet also approved the launch of Vigyan Gram Scheme in five districts to improve farm produce, income generation from off-farm activities as well as conservation and efficient management of existing natural resources through implementation of appropriate technologies.
The scheme would be started in Chanju gram panchayat in Chamba, Mohani panchayat in Kullu, Ghat panchayat in Mandi, Piplidhar (Bainsh) panchayat in Shimla and Matal Bakhog panchayat in Sirmaur district.
The cabinet gave the nod to launch ‘Jal Se Krishi Ko Bal Yojna’ in the state for water harvesting and recycling of rainwater. This aims at increasing the crop yields as well as farm income by optimum use of stored rainwater by constructing structures such as check dams and ponds. An outlay of Rs 250 crore has been made for five years.
An approval has also been given to ‘Aaj Purani Raahon Se’ scheme to boost cultural tourism and help preserve the cultural identity of the state in a big way to attract tourists. The cabinet also gave its consent to launch Individual/Beneficiary Group Handpump Subsidy scheme, under which 75% cost shall be paid by the beneficiary and the balance 25% shall be paid by the irrigation and public health department.
(With inputs from agencies)