Free bus travel for women becomes headache for Punjab Govt
Chandigarh, July 16
: A free travel scheme for women in public buses, initiated by former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh in the month of April last year has burned a Rs 600 crore hole in the state exchequer in the first year of its inception, as per the reports.
As per reports, the bill for this year is likely to shoot up even further, with the number of travellers increasing owing to minimal Covid-related restrictions being in force.
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The financial conditions of Punjab are not conducive and have forced the Aam Aadmi Party to think about continuing this scheme.
According to the sources, the Aam Aadmi Party government does not want to take the risk of closing this facility, this facility is also being provided by the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi.
The scheme is also applicable to PRTC, Punjab Roadways and Panbus buses of Punjab and city buses run by local governments.
Meanwhile, PRTC employees are protesting against the non-payment of salaries and the policies of the transport department. Bus stands in Punjab were also closed for 2 hours in the past.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a meeting with officials of transport department to take a stock of the situation, wherein he also ordered the release of Rs 35 crore pending towards PEPSU Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) on account of free bus travel for women so that the corporation could pay salary to its employees.
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When this scheme was started, it was started based on the population data of 2011, out of the total population of 2.77 crore, the number of women/girls was 1 crore 31 lakh 3 thousand 873.
(Inputs by Gagandeep Singh Ahuja)
-PTC News
