Badals looted state roadways: Union
Friday, 31/03/2017
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
JALANDHAR: The action committee of Punjab roadways employees levelled several allegations against previous SAD government on Thursday. The committee also demanded from chief minister Amarinder Singh lead government for an immediate re-shuffle in the alleged tampered time table of buses and release of new government buses to improve the economical condition of the roadways and Punjab Road Transport Corporation (PRTC).
Union members, while addressing a press conference here, claimed, “Due to apathy of the Badal government, numbers of government buses plying on the road dipped in previous years.” As per information Punjab roadways had around 2,407 buses in 1997. The current number of buses is even below 2000. Also the hand share of private buses has increased sequentially. Union members alleged that the Badal family and the previous government politicians in Punjab owned more than 60% of the transportation in the state. Union members alleged, “The ministers during the Badal government have shares in almost all transport companies due to which they had ignored the roadways and PRTC buses.” “PRTC buses are on the verge of shut down,” charged the union members. Due to political pressure state transport had forced to make several changes in plying schedule in last several years to provide comfort to private operators and now the ratio of private to government buses is 70:30.
“We have demanded an immediate reshuffle and all the permits belonging to Badal family and their relatives to be cancelled. While a review of time table should also be considered,” joint action committee convener Surinder Singh said.
