Govt. Should Resolve Taxi Operators’ Demands Instead of Giving Evasive Replies: Jairam
Shimla, August 28, 2026: Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur on Friday ended the indefinite hunger strike of taxi operators protesting at Chaura Maidan in Shimla over their demand to extend the permit period for taxis from 12 to 15 years.
Thakur offered juice to the protesting taxi operators and urged them to call off their fast, assuring them that their concerns would be raised with the state government as well as the Centre and that efforts would be made to find a solution through dialogue. He said the Centre would also be approached for any assistance required in resolving the matter.
The Leader of Opposition said BJP legislators had raised the issue in the state Assembly, but instead of working towards a solution, the Transport Minister had given what he described as evasive responses.
He alleged that the government had attempted to remove the protesting operators through the police rather than engaging in dialogue. Suppressing the voice of people through force was not acceptable in a democracy, he said.
“Himachal Pradesh has witnessed protests over various public issues, and the government cannot resort to force against people holding peaceful demonstrations. The government should have listened to their demands and worked towards a resolution,” Thakur said.
He also spoke to the Shimla Deputy Commissioner and urged the administration to allow the protesting taxi operators to put up a tent to protect themselves from the rain.
Thakur appealed to the protesters to end their indefinite fast so that they could celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan with their families. He assured them that their demand would be taken up before the state Assembly, the state government and the Central government and that efforts would be made to resolve the issue through dialogue.
Following his assurance, the protesting taxi operators agreed to end their hunger strike, after which Thakur formally broke their fast by offering them juice.
Thakur said that if the government was sincere about resolving the issue, a solution could be found. Recalling measures taken by his government during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said taxes on all vehicles engaged in public transport, including taxis and buses, had been waived for two years in view of the difficult circumstances faced by transport operators.
He further claimed that operators who had already deposited the tax were also refunded the amount.
During their interaction with journalists, taxi operators recalled their discussions with Thakur when he was Chief Minister and said that he had listened to their concerns at the state Secretariat and taken an immediate decision to provide relief. They appreciated the measures taken by his government at the time.
Thakur said tourism was a major pillar of Himachal Pradesh’s economy and taxi operators played an important role in supporting the sector. If the government genuinely wanted to help them, he said, a solution could be found.
“Instead of blaming the Centre for every issue, the state government should fix its own accountability and resolve the legitimate demands of the taxi operators,” Thakur said.
Samagra Sikhsha
