Orbit buses operating on Fazilka-Chandigarh route with wrongly issued permits: Punjab transport minister Laljit Singh Bhullar

Chandigarh: Punjab transport minister Laljit Singh Bhullar alleged in the house that Orbit buses, owned by the Badal family, operate on the Fazilka-Chandigarh route under permits that were wrongly issued during their tenure. Bhullar made this assertion while responding to a query by MLA Narinder Pal Singh Sawna regarding the increasing number of buses on the Fazilka-Ferozepur route.
Sawna demanded an increase in the number of buses on the Fazilka-Ferozepur and Ferozepur-Fazilka routes, citing public inconvenience. In response, Bhullar stated that this is a monopoly route, meaning only govt buses are allowed to operate, and permits cannot be issued to private bus operators. Countering this, Sawna pointed out that private Orbit buses operate on the Fazilka-Chandigarh route and questioned how they were allowed to run. "If private buses can ply on this route, why not govt buses?" he asked.
The cabinet minister clarified that the matter is currently pending in the Punjab and Haryana high court. He assured that once the court rules on the issue, the permits will be cancelled, and only govt buses will be allowed to operate on the route.
Bhullar complains of bias
Bhullar expressed concern that opposition members receive more time to speak and raise issues, while treasury bench members are often overlooked. Bhullar complained that despite repeatedly raising their hands during zero hour, treasury members do not get a chance to speak. "I had to raise the issue during question hour instead," he said. He emphasised that the 94 members of the treasury benches should also be given adequate time to voice their concerns.
In a sarcastic remark, Bhullar quipped that the husbands of female MLAs and the wives of male MLAs eagerly wait to see their spouses appear on television while raising issues during zero hour. However, he rued that the speaker does not provide treasury members with the opportunity to speak, while allowing every opposition member to do so. He further claimed that some treasury members have not had a chance to speak in the last three sessions. In response, the speaker stated that cabinet ministers can speak at any time. "For democracy to function properly, the opposition must have its say, and the treasury must have its way. Here, it is not important to merely speak but to perform," the speaker added.
Bhullar clarified that he was not against giving time to opposition leaders but stressed the need for a protocol that prioritises members who actively participate in proceedings. He argued that those who stage a walkout after presenting their points should not be given preference over those who remain engaged in discussions.
Bajwa expresses displeasure
Leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa expressed his displeasure after the speaker did not allow the adjournment motion of the Congress on the corruption issue in the state. As question hour began in the budget session, Bajwa asked speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan about the adjournment motion moved by him. Terming it as an important issue, Bajwa said that the issue needs to be discussed to control corruption. The speaker told Bajwa that he would get a written reply, to which Bajwa said that by the time he would get the reply, the session would be over. The speaker assured that he would get ample time to raise any issue during the session.
Govt strengthening trauma care
Health minister Dr Balbir Singh stated that the govt is making concerted efforts to ensure timely treatment for road accident victims. Responding to a query by MLA Jiwan Singh Sangowal, the minister shared that he frequently receives requests from members for setting up trauma centres in their respective areas.
Clarifying the classification of trauma centres, Dr Balbir Singh explained that there are four levels — Level I, II, III, and IV. Level I trauma centres provide the highest level of comprehensive care, equipped with advanced surgical facilities and specialists available 24/7. These serve as regional hubs for complex surgeries and rehabilitation and are typically located 700 to 800 km apart. In Punjab, PGI is the only healthcare facility with Level I capabilities.
The state has identified six hospitals as Level II trauma centres in Bathinda, Patiala, Mohali, Ludhiana, Nawanshahr, and Amritsar, equipped with 24-hour access to essential specialties, including general surgery, anaesthesia, radiology, emergency medicine, neurosurgery, and orthopaedics. Additionally, Jalandhar also has a Level II trauma facility.
For Level III trauma care, centres have been established in Khanna, Ferozepur, and Fazilka. The state govt has empanelled all private hospitals along state and national highways to provide free treatment to accident victims. Dr Balbir Singh also highlighted that the govt is setting up critical care blocks in all districts, which will be equipped to handle road trauma and other medical emergencies efficiently.
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