Opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur pledges to seek extension of taxi permits, ending fast
Jai Ram Thakur met taxi operators protesting in Shimla and promised to raise their demand for a longer permit tenure with the centre, prompting the drivers to call off their fast‑unto‑death.
By SamacharDaily Editorial Team••1 min read
On Tuesday, opposition leader and Himachal Pradesh chief ministerial hopeful Jai Ram Thakur visited Chaura Maidan in Shimla where members of the Taxi Operators’ Union had been staging a fast‑unto‑death. The protest began after the state transport department announced that new taxi permits would be valid for only 12 years, a period operators say is too short to recover their investment. Thakur listened to the grievances, noting that many drivers had taken loans to purchase vehicles and that a three‑year reduction in permit life could push several operators into bankruptcy. He assured the union that he would raise the issue with the Central Government, seeking an extension of the permit period to 15 years, which is the norm in several other states. Following the meeting, the union representatives announced the immediate withdrawal of the fast, thanking Thakur for his intervention. The protest, which had disrupted traffic in the city’s commercial hub, ended without any arrests or police action.
The demand for a longer taxi permit period reflects broader concerns among small transport entrepreneurs about policy stability and access to credit. In Himachal, where terrain makes public transport essential, a shortened permit cycle can deter new entrants and strain existing operators, potentially affecting commuter safety and regional mobility. Politically, Thakur’s intervention showcases the opposition’s strategy of leveraging local grievances to build a support base ahead of the upcoming state elections, positioning himself as a champion of grassroots issues. If the central government agrees to the extension, it could set a precedent for other states with similar transport policies, prompting a re‑evaluation of permit norms nationwide. Conversely, a denial could reignite protests, adding pressure on both state and central authorities as the electoral calendar tightens.
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•1 min read
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