Punjab Transport Minister seeks comprehensive survey of illegal clubbing of bus permits

Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar on Thursday ordered comprehensive scrutiny of all composite permits after all four Regional Transport Authorities were found clubbing the stage carriage bus permits illegally in violation of the Punjab Motor, 1980.

The beneficiaries in large numbers, include companies owned by political bigwigs. The anomaly has been pointed out by the state transport secretary to all RTAs.

The department flagged the anomaly 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.

The Transport Minister ordered comprehensive scrutiny of all composite permits consolidated under Rule 80-A of the Punjab Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

Bhullar said the 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.

He said investigation 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.

The minister has directed all 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.