Chandigarh- In a major breakthrough aimed at ending the monopoly of big players in the transport sector, the Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh 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 Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a historic milestone as the state government has started ‘Rozgar Kranti’ with this self employment initiative. “The Transport Department has approved 1, 165 Small Stage Carriage Permits from March 2022 to till date and today 505 youngsters are getting permits under ‘Small Stage Carriage Permit Scheme’. These permits were handed over in a free and fair manner to empower these youth from the common families, ” he noted.
Congratulating the youngsters who got the permits, the Chief Minister said that this move will boost the entire economy including Petrol Pump Operators, Bus Operators and other allied areas. “Earlier students had to face difficulties in 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 work of recarpetting of 43, 000 km total roads including 19, 000 km rural roads with condition of five year maintenance of roads.
The Chief Minister said that 58, 000 youths got government jobs without any corruption, nepotism or recommendations adding that during previous regimes such bus permits were issued only to the blue eyed people who were close to the ruling people.
He said that as a fact of matter the previous rulers made this business as a family affair by issuing the permits to their loved ones and then monopolising this business. “Now this trend has been broken as an honest government which is committed for 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, “Recent local bodies elections were conducted under free and fair manner and some of the candidates secured their seats by a margin of two or three votes. The opposition was unnecessarily making a hue and cry over the issue as they have been rejected by the people. People of state especially in rural areas have voted for the development and the works rather than mere lip service.”
The Chief Minister said that Punjab is the blessed land with grace of god but the previous rulers have left no stone unturned to plunder its resources for their own benefits. “Badals had centralised the entire transport business due to which this system collapsed very badly and was controlled by few chosen ones, ” he asserted.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann announced a new fleet of 1, 311 new 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 face lifted with ultra modern facilities. “We will start a new app to book bus tickets from their phones. The state government will start shuttle bus service in Punjab to strengthen the public transport sector thereby immensely benefitting 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 as well as to improve the public transport services. “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 has a lot of potential and the need of the hour is to harness it, ” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 17 Toll Plazas were discontinued and ₹64 lakh rupees of Punjabis saved daily. “Toll Plazas Companies wanted to increase the tenure of their terms to exploit the people but the state government didn’t allow it. Partap Singh Bajwa had set up a maximum Toll Plaza during his term as PWD Minister, ” he pointed out.
The Chief Minister said that now the Union Government wanted to discontinue MNREGA with new rules and financial onus on the State Government has been increased. “Conditions were amended with intent to discontinue the scheme much to the dismay of the common people. The state government will convene a special session of state Vidhan sabha in January to discuss this issue in length and breadth, ” he added.
Slamming the Centre for Agniveer Scheme, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this scheme is purely unconstitutional and defeats the very purpose of the Indian army. “Our ancestors had sacrificed for this country as Punjab has produced a number of brave hearts who made supreme sacrifices to protect the country, ” he noted.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as custodian of the Punjab he always stands to secure the rights of Punjab and will oppose such cynical moves of centre vehemently.