Friday, 10 September 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
Electricity surcharge to be waived off for two years for installing charging station for electric vehicles
The Uttarakhand government has decided to provide an incentive for the electric vehicles in the state. Making a declaration regarding this during a webinar organised on the occasion of the Himalaya Day on Thursday the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the incentive would be provided to first one thousand four wheelers and five thousand two wheelers by the pollution control board for reducing the air pollution. He said that for two wheelers an incentive of 10 per cent of the vehicle price or Rs 7500 whichever is less would be provided. Similarly for four wheelers this incentive would be the lower of Rs 50,000 or five per cent of the vehicle price. The incentive would be transferred into the account of either the dealer or bank in form of the back ended subsidy.
The CM also announced that electric surcharge would be waived off for a period of two years for setting up the charging stations for the electric vehicles. However this benefit would be given to the first 250 charging stations only and for it they should have approval of the local urban body.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that everyone should take responsibility for protecting the Himalaya and environment. He added that the government is planning to organise a convention of Himalayan states for the purpose. Emphasising on the need for maintaining a balance between development and environment, Dhami said that Himalaya is both our heritage and the future. He added that emphasis on sustainable development should be made for our future generations. Dhami added that the Uttarakhand government would give ‘Sundar Lal Bahuguna environment protection award in the memory of the famous environmentalist.
Cabinet minister Ganesh Joshi said that the Himalaya is the sentinel of India and it also provides valuable herbs. He said that conservation of Himalayas should be included in the school syllabus. Environmentalist Anil Joshi said that awareness has increased in the society for protecting the Himalayas. He suggested that a state plan should be formulated linking ecology and economics.
The additional chief secretary Anand Bardhan said work on setting up an environment plan at state and district level is being done.
The CM also released a book compiled by Himalaya United Mission (HUM) on Himalaya Day on the occasion.
