Buses run by Punjab Roadways and PRTC stayed off roads for two hours during a state-wide protest. Employees demanded the rollback of the kilometre scheme, which they say promotes corruption and threatens job security. The kilometre scheme lets private operators run government routes, hire drivers, and cover fuel and maintenance costs. They are paid based on distance covered.
Union leaders allege that powerful private operators inflate kilometre records to earn extra money. They claim this policy leads to “backdoor privatisation” and blocks regular jobs for contractual staff. Union leader Harkesh Kumar Vicky urged the government to buy new buses and make temporary workers permanent instead of outsourcing routes.
PRTC Chairman Ranjodh Singh Hadana stated that 80% of buses still operated and that the protest caused a ₹20-lakh loss in revenue. He defended the kilometre scheme, calling it beneficial for PRTC.
