Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday announced that the mandatory requirement of the HIMBUS Card has been waived for Himachal Pradesh Police personnel travelling on Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses. The decision aims to simplify official travel and remove unnecessary financial and administrative burden on the State’s police force.
Existing Contribution and ID System Cited
Clarifying the rationale behind the decision, the Chief Minister said that police personnel from the rank of Constable to Inspector already contribute a fixed monthly amount, deducted from their salaries, towards HRTC for concessional travel. In view of this existing arrangement, the requirement of an additional payment for a digital HIMBUS Card was found to be redundant.
“Our police personnel have to travel extensively across the State for official duties and investigations. Since they already carry official departmental identity cards and valid manual passes, making the HIMBUS Card mandatory was unnecessary,” said Sh. Sukhu.
Departmental ID and Manual Passes to Remain Valid
The Chief Minister clarified that departmental identity cards and existing manual passes will continue to be accepted as valid proof for travel concessions. He added that the exemption recognises the high mobility required in police work and ensures that personnel are not delayed by digital verification procedures during urgent assignments.
Relief to Police Personnel
While the HIMBUS Card was introduced as a State-wide initiative to digitise subsidies and prevent misuse of travel concessions, the Chief Minister noted that the police department’s existing contribution mechanism and identification system are adequate for monitoring and accountability.
The decision is expected to bring significant relief to thousands of police personnel across Himachal Pradesh, enabling them to perform their duties more efficiently without additional out-of-pocket expenses.
