DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

In a bold move to ensure level playing field and compliance with existing regulations, Punjab Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Thursday, has ordered comprehensive scrutiny of all Composite permits consolidated under Rule 80-A of the Punjab Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. This decisive action has been taken to address the issue of illegal clubbing of stage carriage permits and operational irregularities in the transportation sector.

Stressing on the critical need to adhere to the rule's stipulation of issuing a single composite permit with an equal number of return trips, rather than a cluster of CP permits, the Transport Minister unequivocally asked the officials that permits found in violation of Rule 80-A's provisions would be subject to de-clubbing through proper legal procedures and restored to their original status.

Notably, this directive comes in response to a surge of legal challenges in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where various operators have contested the legitimacy of illegal clubbed or composite stage carriage permits in route timetables.

S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that this initiative is primarily aimed at curbing the monopolistic practices of large bus operators in the sector. "Our goal is to dismantle the unfair advantages that some big players have accumulated through illegal permit clubbing," said the Cabinet Minister, adding that "This move will create a more equitable environment for small and medium-sized operators, fostering healthy competition and improved services for the public."

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, S. Bhullar noted that investigations have revealed numerous instances where permits were not only clubbed illegally but also without proper jurisdictional authority. "The Transport Department has observed several irregularities, including the clubbing of permits for different routes, issuance of multiple composite permits disguised as a single entity and the unauthorized retention of excess return trips instead of their mandated surrender", he added.

In light of these findings, the Cabinet Minister has instructed all Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Secretaries to conduct a thorough examination of CP permits within their jurisdictions to ensure strict compliance with Rule 80-A and subsequent clarifications, allowing only qualifying permits to be included in joint timetables.
(editor@dailyworld.in)