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Chandigarh, December 19
In a major breakthrough aimed at ending the monopoly of big players in the transport sector, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday handed over 505 mini bus permits to unemployed youth of the state under the ‘Rozgar Kranti Scheme’.
During a function held at MGSIPA in Sector-26 here, CM Mann said that this is a historic milestone as the state government has launched ‘Rozgar Kranti’ through this self-employment initiative. “The Transport Department has approved 1,165 Small Stage Carriage Permits from March 2022 till date, and today 505 youngsters are receiving permits under the ‘Small Stage Carriage Permit Scheme’. These permits have been handed over in a free and fair manner to empower youth from ordinary families,” he noted.
watch…ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੂੰ ਐਂਬਰ ਗਰੁੱਪ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਰਾਜਪੁਰਾ ਵਿਖੇ 500 ਕਰੋੜ ਰੁਪਏ ਦਾ ਆਰ ਐਂਡ ਡੀ ਨਿਵੇਸ਼ ਮਿਲਿਆ
Congratulating the youngsters who received the permits, the Chief Minister said that this move will boost the entire economy, including petrol pump operators, bus operators, and other allied sectors. “Earlier, students faced difficulties due to lack of buses; now the state government has started school buses for girl students,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has allotted the work of recarpeting a total of 43,000 km of roads, including 19,000 km of rural roads, with the condition of five-year maintenance.
The Chief Minister said that 58,000 youths have received government jobs without any corruption, nepotism, or recommendations, adding that during previous regimes, such bus permits were issued only to the favoured people close to those in power.
He said that, as a matter of fact, the previous rulers turned this business into a family affair by issuing permits to their loved ones and then monopolising it. “Now this trend has been broken as an honest government committed to the well-being of all is at the helm of affairs,” he said.
Speaking on the recently conducted local body polls, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The recent local body elections were conducted in a free and fair manner, and some candidates secured their seats by a margin of just two or three votes. The opposition is unnecessarily making a hue and cry over the issue as they have been rejected by the people. The people of the state, especially in rural areas, have voted for development and actual works rather than mere lip service.”
The Chief Minister said that Punjab is a blessed land with the grace of God, but previous rulers left no stone unturned in plundering its resources for their own benefits. “The Badals had centralised the entire transport business, due to which the system collapsed badly and came under the control of a few chosen ones,” he asserted.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann announced a new fleet of 1,311 buses to strengthen public transport, adding that private players will not be allowed to exploit the common man.
The Chief Minister said that the bus stands of Patiala, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Ludhiana, and Bathinda are being revamped with ultra-modern facilities. “We will launch a new app for booking bus tickets from mobile phones. The state government will start shuttle bus services in Punjab to strengthen the public transport sector, thereby immensely benefiting the common man,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that the State Cabinet has amended the rules to provide permits and other facilities to new players so that youth can get employment opportunities and public transport services can be improved. “We are in the process of changing the mindset of people to become job givers instead of job seekers, so as to give impetus to the economy. The youth of Punjab have immense potential, and the need of the hour is to harness it,” he said.
CM Mann said that 17 toll plazas were discontinued, saving Punjabis ₹64 lakh daily. “Toll plaza companies wanted to extend their tenure to exploit the people, but the state government did not allow it. Partap Singh Bajwa had set up the maximum number of toll plazas during his term as PWD Minister,” he pointed out.
The Chief Minister said that now the Union Government wants to discontinue MGNREGS through new rules, with the financial burden on state governments increased. “The conditions were amended with the intent to discontinue the scheme, much to the dismay of the common people. The state government will convene a special session of the Vidhan Sabha in January to discuss this issue in detail,” he added.
Slamming the Centre for the Agniveer Scheme, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this scheme is purely unconstitutional and defeats the very purpose of the Indian Army. “Our ancestors sacrificed for this country, and Punjab has produced numerous brave hearts who made supreme sacrifices to protect the nation,” he noted.
CM Mann said that, as the custodian of Punjab, he will always stand to secure the rights of Punjab and will vehemently oppose such cynical moves by the Centre.
