Punjab Transport Dept cancels 125 bus permits, including 31 of Badals’ firms

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 17

The Transport Department has cancelled 125 bus permits, including 31 owned by former Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal and his family members, for evasion of taxes.

Transport Minister Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said the action was taken following non-payment of taxes and alleged attempts to hoodwink the system to inflict loss to the exchequer.

The action has been taken under Section 103 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Warring asked the department to pace up vigil against any attempt to fleece the exchequer. Nobody found involved in any wrongdoing would be spared, he said.

Thirty integral coach permits belonging to Badals-run Orbit Aviation Private Limited, besides one owned by New Fateh Travels have been cancelled the by the Bhatinda RTA authorities.

Sixteen ordinary permits of Mandeep Travels have also been cancelled. Tax liability is pending against New Fateh Bus Service since January, while Orbit Aviation Private Limited has been acted against for delay in depositing tax from March to October.

The RTA, Faridkot, has cancelled 73 ordinary bus permits of New Deep Bus Service, in addition to their three integral coach permits in connection with tax dues of Rs 2.62 crore. Two ordinary bus permits of Malwa Bus Service have also been cancelled.