Now, govt using roadways buses for publicity

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, October 27

Don’t be surprised if you travel in an ordinary Punjab Roadways bus next time and find an LED screen installed in it. The SAD-BJP state government is showcasing its publicity material of almost nine-and-half-year “successful” rule and screening ‘Chaar Sahibzade’ movie for passengers.

The 24-inch LED screen has been installed in some buses just behind the driver’s seat with four speakers and a woofer. A voltage stabilizer has also been installed. The bus staff has been given a USB flash drive, loaded with the movie and pro-government publicity material of nearly two-and-a-half-hour duration.

“The bus can be checked anytime while plying on the road. If some other movie is being screened on the LED screen, the inspector can fine us,” said an employee of a state-run bus of Moga depot plying in Muktsar district today.

He said the state government had chosen only new buses, which are red and white in colour, for this purpose. “The installation of LED screen and speakers has been done recently in Chandigarh,” he added.

Charanjit Singh Brar, General Manager, Punjab Roadways, Muktsar, said, “The higher-ups had demanded seven buses from Muktsar depot, in which the LED screen and speakers have been installed.”

Ashwani Sharma, Director, State Transport, said, “The buses having LED screens are those which are chosen for the CM’s Tirath Darshan Yatra.”

However, the buses fitted with LED screens, showing the movie and pro-government material, were found plying on Wednesday and Thursday.