In Punjab, once again, government bus drivers have launched a protest against the administration. Bus employees have staged a sit-in protest at the PAP Chowk in Jalandhar, effectively blocking the Jalandhar-Delhi National Highway. This has caused a massive traffic jam on the highway.
Earlier today, the employees had announced a state-wide shutdown of all bus stands from 12 PM to 2 PM in protest against the "Kilometer Bus Scheme." Due to this, only private buses were seen operating outside the bus stands, while government buses remained off the roads.
Leading the protest, a Punjab Roadways employee stated that the administration is once again opening new tenders under this scheme, which they strongly oppose.
The protesters argued that this scheme will directly impact thousands of private bus operators, drivers, and conductors across Punjab. It will also affect the general public. They demanded that the government immediately scrap the scheme.
They urged the administration to hold talks with all stakeholders and find a solution, as the scheme threatens to disrupt the state's transport system. Small bus owners and employees fear losing their livelihoods, while private companies stand to gain unfair advantages to the detriment of local operators and staff.
They explained that the Kilometer Bus Scheme is a government initiative under which private companies rent out buses to the government. The government pays these companies a fixed amount per kilometer, while the responsibility for drivers, maintenance, and fuel lies entirely with the private firms.