Govt doles out sops to promote use of EVs
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 09 2022:
Chief minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday released 'The Manipur Electric Mobility Policy, 2022' during the inaugural function of the 'Two-day Awareness-cum-Workshop on Electric Vehicles (EVs), Charging Infrastructure and Renewable Hybrid Energy in North-East India' organised jointly by Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research-Indian Institute Of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), Dehradun and Transport Department at City Convention Centre, here.
Speaking as the chief guest, the CM pointed but that to embrace and accelerate the pace of adoption of electric vehicles, 'The Manipur Electric Mobility Policy, 2022' was notified in August this year to facilitate adoption of at least 20 per cent EVs in the state by 2026.Incentives will also be provided under the policy in the form of waiver of up to 30 per cent in Motor Vehicle Tax at the time of registration of newly purchased EVs, N Biren stated, while adding that the government is considering giving priority to EVs while purchasing vehicles for government departments.
Highlighting the rapid growth and urbanisation over the years, he also observed that with increase in population, coupled with better standard of living, vehicle ownership has increased significantly.
Traffic congestion leading to increased vehicle emission affects ambient air quality and carbon emission from petrol and diesel vehicles are main causes of concern for urban population and health of the people, the CM noted.
N Biren also pointed out that carbon emissions from vehicles are major contributor to Climate Change.
Highlighting the importance of EVs, he further said that EV is a prominent solution being adopted globally to address the problems of vehicular pollution.
The CM also mentioned that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is taking up numerous steps to promote EVs in the country.
Further stating that the PM had also recently set India on the path to achieve Net-Zero Carbon by 2070, he stressed that Government of India's scheme such as 'Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME)' aims to reduce dependency on fossil fuel as well as address issues of vehicular emissions.
N Biren expressed confidence that awareness through such workshop and collaboration with CSIR would help in the process of adoption of EVs in the state and setting up the required infrastructure.
On the other hand, transport minister Kashim Vashum said that several schemes and initiatives have been launched to boost the demand for EVs under centre's efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union road transport & highways minister Nitin Gadkari to develop India as a global leader in the EVs sector.
The minister also highlighted the initiatives taken up by the state government under the leadership of chief minister N Biren to boost usage of EVs including not charging parking tickets for EVs.
The Transport Department is signing an MoU with CSIR-IIP, Dehradun to engage the Institute as advisor to the Government of Manipur, Transport Department in EVs related matters, he further informed.
Kashim Vashum also said that The Manipur Electric Mobility Policy, 2022 will help in achieving a Green and Clean Manipur in the days to come.
The inaugural function was also attended by Tourism Corporation of Manipur chairman and Langthabal MLA Karam Shyam, chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, additional chief secretary (Planning) Vumlunmang Vualnam, CSIR-IIP Dehradun director Dr Anjan Ray, AFLAD chief scientist & HoD Poonam Gupta, principal scientists Dr Atul Ranjan and Dr Robindro Lairenlakpam, among others.
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