Every 4th pvt bus in Punjab found without permit

Chandigarh : In a statewide crackdown, more than 26 per cent private buses were today found plying without any permit, registration certificate and road tax papers. Some had fake number plates. Inspecting teams, comprising Vigilance and Transport Department officials, found non-AC buses plying on permits meant for AC buses, pointing to tax evasion.
Having ignored the issue for months, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had on June 7 ordered a crackdown on illegal bus operations after the matter was highlighted in the columns of The Tribune.
During the checking today, it was found that buses belonging to a particular company (owned by an influential political family) had the registration number mentioned on a slip attested by the Secretary, Regional Transport Authority, whereas it is required to be displayed on the route permit. Sources said this showed that several buses were being plied on a single permit. The surprise checking saw the daily route receipts of state transport undertakings and private transporters with valid permits recording a substantial rise. MS Narang, Managing Director, PRTC, said: “Details of the route receipts will be available only tomorrow but the crackdown on illegal players is bound to boost the income of the state transport.”Of the 1,715 buses checked, 454 buses did not have a route permit or registration certificate, BK Uppal, Chief Director, Punjab Vigilance Bureau, said. Some drivers carried only photocopies of permits. Some did not even have the driver’s licence. Also, several private buses were disregarding the time schedule. Buses with permits to carry tourists were found picking ordinary passengers, causing losses to the public transport system.