SAD-BJP rally takes a toll on Pvt bus operators

Kapurthala, Feb 25 (UNI) The private bus operators here are a harassed lot as their buses were being diverted for carrying SAD-BJP workers to participate in the SAD-BJP rally to be held in Delhi tomorrow.

They alleged that more than 80 private buses including mini buses were taken by District Transport Department for the rally.

An employee of local bus company said his company handed over 17 buses out of the fleet 27 buses on the verbal orders of District Transport officer.

He claimed that only the cost of the diesel had been paid to the private operators, who had to bear all the other expenses.

While District Transport officer Daljit Kaur has denied the allegations that private operators were forced to hand over the buses for the rally, she admitted that the department had arranged the buses at the request of the MLAs.

The passengers at local bus stand were also facing hardships in reaching their destinations as most of the private buses did not ply because of the Delhi rally.

Meanwhile, about 40 vehicles including 26 buses carrying more than one thousand SAD-BJP workers today left from Kapurthala to participate in the rally.

SAD District President Raghbir Singh told mediapersons that more than five thousand workers of both the parties would participate in the rally from this district.

UNI XC PS VN1627