Punjab Transport Dept cracks down on ‘clubbing’ of bus permits

In a move impacting several private transporters, including companies owned by prominent politicians from the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress and Akali Dal, the state Transport Department has put an end to the illegal practice of “clubbing” multiple stage carriage permits to cover distances beyond those originally permitted. Over 700 stage carriage permits have been ordered to be de-clubbed.

The widespread practice, allegedly facilitated by the regional transport authorities (RTAs) in Patiala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur and Bathinda, not only led to substantial losses for the state exchequer, but also disproportionately benefited private transporters, especially those with political connections. Instead of issuing a single, composite permit, several permits were illegally clubbed together to appear as one.

Orders to cancel these unauthorised extensions have been issued in various cases heard by the State Transport Commissioner and the aforementioned RTAs, following appeals against show-cause notices served on transporters.

In one such order concerning Jhelum Roadways, the State Transport Commissioner highlighted that the RTA, Ferozepur, exceeded its jurisdiction in 2023 to grant undue benefits to private transporters. To ensure accountability, the department is reportedly pursuing action against officials responsible for these illegalities and irregularities in granting extensions and increasing trips, with their cases sent to the state government for necessary action.

Beyond private operators, illegally extended stage carriage permits of state transport undertakings have also been revoked. Citing Sections 69 and 80(3) of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, the department has directed all RTAs to de-club any permits that were illegally bundled. The decisive action comes after various bus operators approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging the legitimacy of these illegally clubbed or composite stage carriage permits in route timetables.

Earlier, Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar had instructed the department to conduct a comprehensive scrutiny of all composite permits after all four regional transport authorities were found illegally clubbing stage carriage bus permits in violation of the Punjab Motor Vehicles Rules, 1980. However, due to the influence wielded by powerful transporters, the department had reportedly been slow to act until now. The effectiveness of these orders will depend on their timely integration into the official bus timetables, specifying accurate time slots for bus operations.

JS Grewal, president of the Small Scale Bus Operators Association, said, “The nexus between the RTAs and the powerful transporter mafia runs deep in the Transport Department. As per rules, such permits should be cancelled, and action initiated against the officials involved.”

Permit clubbing

Under amended Rule 80-A of the Punjab Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, there is a provision to club permits on the same route. However, the RTAs began illegally clubbing permits across different routes, for instance, extending a Ludhiana-Jagraon permit to include Jagraon-Moga and Moga-Ferozepur routes. The common practice involves influential transporters buying permits from small operators and then having them transferred and clubbed by the RTAs.