As uproar over the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib continues, losses are piling up for bus operators with each passing day. With their buses stranded at terminals, the operators are seeking tax concessions from the government.
Jaswinder Singh Grewal, state president Punjab Mini Bus Service, said more than 350 buses have not been able to ply from the past one week. “Our business has taken a huge hit,” said Grewal.
Grewal rued that while we continue to pay heavy amount f taxes for our buses annually; such incidents time and again cause huge losses to our business. Outrage amongst protesters is at the extreme and in places such as Jagraon, buses were not even allowed to enter the area while the city roads were blocked at more than six places at different venues.
“It is the state government, who should come to our rescue and provide us with a viable solution by giving concessions on taxes so that we could at least ply all our buses on the roads in the coming days,” he said.
Another bus operator rued that it is the bigger operators from the ruling government who has stake in transport business would recuperate such losses not small bus operators like me. Our business would completely perish if the tension persists for longer duration.
{{/usCountry}}Another bus operator rued that it is the bigger operators from the ruling government who has stake in transport business would recuperate such losses not small bus operators like me. Our business would completely perish if the tension persists for longer duration.
{{/usCountry}}Rashpal Singh Makhu, general manager of Punjab Roadways, said, “The roadways is bearing heavy losses due to the state-wide protests as almost all the buses are remained stationed at the city bus terminal and workshop area. The losses worth lakhs of rupees is piling on with the passage of each day, the government shall come up with a solution for the current chaotic situation soon”.