To ensure compliance with transport regulations and foster fair competition, Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar on Thursday ordered a comprehensive review of all composite permits issued under Rule 80-A of the Punjab Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The crackdown is aimed at curbing the illegal clubbing of stage carriage permits and operational irregularities in the state’s transport sector.
Bhullar emphasized that the rule mandates a single composite permit with an equal number of return trips, not a cluster of permits. He directed the officials to de-club any permits found violating Rule 80-A, and restore them to their original status through proper legal channels. This action responds to a surge in legal challenges in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where operators have questioned the legality of composite permits.
The Minister stressed that this initiative targeted monopolistic practices in the sector, particularly those of large bus operators. “Our goal is to dismantle the unfair advantages some big players have gained through illegal permit clubbing,” Bhullar said, adding that this move would create a level playing field for small and medium-sized operators, ultimately benefiting the public through better services.
Investigations revealed numerous violations, including the illegal clubbing of permits across different routes and the unauthorized retention of excess return trips. Bhullar noted that permits had been issued without proper jurisdictional authority, further exacerbating the problem.
Bhullar instructed all Regional Transport Authority (RTA) secretaries to thoroughly examine permits in their areas to ensure compliance with Rule 80-A, allowing only valid permits to be included in joint timetables. “This initiative is crucial for upholding the integrity of Punjab's transport regulations,” he said.
