Chandigarh: Around 250 public sector undertaking (PSU) buses operating under the kilometre scheme are being repainted in yellow and blue colours for Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), triggering a political controversy in the state.
The opposition Congress has alleged that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is attempting to use public funds for political publicity, claiming the colours are closely associated with the party. Transport minister Laljit Singh Bhullar has not issued a response to the allegations.
Punjab Roadways and PRTC Contract Workers Union general secretary Shamsher Singh said operators running buses under the kilometre scheme were first compelled to ply services and are now being directed to repaint vehicles in yellow and blue.
“Buses that were originally in blue/silver and red/silver patterns have been sent back to a fabricator in Rajasthan for repainting. This amounts to wastage of public money,” he said.
The union also claimed that while the government cites lack of funds to regularise employees, it is spending on repainting buses.
