Govt waives bus tax for 10 days

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 26 

To please bus transporters ahead of the November 28 Sadbhavna Rally in Moga, the state government today announced the waiver of motor vehicle tax for 10 days for those buses that did not run during the protest against the sacrilege incidents in the state.

Transport Minister Ajit Singh Kohar said the decision would be applicable on Punjab Roadways/PUNBUS/ PRTC and other private buses. 

Various transporter unions had raised the demand of waiving of the quarterly tax for the buses. Though the transporters had demanded waiving of three months' tax, the government has decided to limit it to 10 days.

The transporters have been alleging exploitation at the hands of the government. They allege the district transport office staff forced them to provide buses for Akali rallies at low rates. 

They alleged that the same officials prohibit them from giving buses for rallies of other parties or organisations due to which they lose business. 

The transporters had in a recent meeting urged the government to at least waive the tax for three months.