Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday reiterated his government’s commitment to check monopoly and undue profiteering in transport business. He also announced that a new mining policy would be brought out soon to eliminate the mafia.
The Chief Minister announced 50 per cent concession in bus fare for women travelling in government and PRTC buses. To end the monopoly of certain business houses in the transport sector, he said 5,000 new minibus route permits would be given in the next two years, which would benefit the unemployed youth. Another 2,000 permits would be provided for regular 52-seater stage carriage buses in the next two years, the CM told the House.
“The transport policy is under consideration. The matter is sub judice and necessary action will be taken as per the directions of the court as and when the issue is settled,” he said.
The Chief Minister assured the House that transport permits found illegal would be cancelled, disclosing that show-cause notices had already been issued for 142 permits, which were being examined.
The department was in the process of issuing 15-day show-cause notices for the remaining 212 permits as well, said the Chief Minister, promising transparency in the issuance of permits along with all possible steps to break monopoly in the sector.
The Chief Minister said his government was committed to ending monopolistic practices and cartelisation in the transport sector, which the previous SAD-BJP regime had promoted to its own benefit.
‘No extension, more jobs’
Referring to the move to lower the age of retirement, Capt Amarinder said all vacancies that would be created as a result would be filled in the next two years. He said a single case of retirement in a high pay scale could help generate jobs for three aspirants in the lower bracket.
Administration work for doctors
To strengthen the healthcare network, the Chief Minister said all doctors in government hospitals should double up for both administrative and clinical work. Of the 4,036 doctors, around 1,000 do not engage in clinical work at present, he noted, adding that if Vice Chancellors of universities could do both teaching and administrative work, why not doctors?
50% rebate for women travellers
The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, announced to give 50 per cent concession in bus fare for women travelling in government and PRTC buses.
Sidelights
Embarrassing moments
Lok Insaaf Party MLA Simarjit Bains caused embarrassing moments for Transport Minister Razia Sultana when he pointed out that despite three years in power, the Congress government had failed to act against Indo-Canadian buses, running between different cities of Punjab and Delhi airport, in violation of the contract carriage permit conditions. The buses owned by the Badals were illegally operating on the stage carriage permit.
Dinner diplomacy
With the Budget session ending on Wednesday, CM Capt Amarinder Singh hosted dinner for his Cabinet colleagues and MLAs at his farmhouse in Siswan on Tuesday. PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar also attended the dinner. With instances of party MLAs taking on their own government on various issues on Tuesday, dinner diplomacy was at work to mollify the lawmakers who were awaiting the CLP meeting.
Razia seeks AAP MLAs’ help
Transport Minister Razia Sultana on Tuesday sought help of AAP MLAs in pressing the Delhi Government to allow PRTC and PUNBUS up to the Delhi Airport. Replying to another question, Razia said since the department was entangled in different issues and it was taking some time to sort out all matters, be it revising timetables or cancellation of illegal bus routes.
Bains-Tinu squabble
Lok Insaaf Party MLA Simarjit Singh Bains taunted Akali MLA Pawan Kumar Tinu after the latter spoke on the Budget, saying that cartels in all businesses were going strong. “What about your 10 years in power? You even sent me to jail,” said Bains. This drew a sharp reaction from Tinu, who said, “What about the 10 years you were stealing power?”
Reply provokes chuckle
The House was in splits when Congress MLA Indu Bala was called to speak on Budget proposals. Her instant reaction was, “Kal wali speech bol sakde han? (Can I speak the same thing I had prepared to speak yesterday)”. As her naïveté drew laughter, the Speaker asked her to speak some other time.
Praise for officers
Congress MLA Amarinder Singh Raja Warring showered praise on some officers, including Special Chief Secretary KBS Sidhu, Additional Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, Additional Chief Secretary Vishwajit Khanna, Finance Secretary Anirudh Tiwari and Education Secretary Krishan Kumar. The MLA, however, lashed out at their boss whom he did not name. “The Chief Secretary does nothing except objecting to government files,” he alleged.
Cheema interrupted
While Leader of Opposition Harpal Cheema was talking about the Delhi model of governance, he was interrupted by MLA Kuljit Nagra, who asked, “Pehlan eh dasso ki tuhade leader ne Majithia ton maafi kyun mangi?” Majithia, who was not present in the House, later said, “He (referring to AAP supremo) fell on my feet and sought forgiveness.” His remark left AAP MLAs red in the face.
