Responding to the demand by Small Scale Bus Operators Association (SSBOA) in Panjab, the Punjab Transport Department has cancelled the illegal extension of routes and increase in trips by influential bus operators in the state. The action by the State Transport Commissioner comes after Regional Transport Authorities accepted applications from the transporters for extension of routes and increase in trips. SSBOA cited the extension as a violation of Rule 128 of the Punjab Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. It is well known that while Panjab govt. passes orders, their implementation remains to be seen. On the education front, several parents have shared how much they spent on books per year in private schools. In kindergarten, books cost ₹4,850; in nursery, ₹8,800; in Class 3, ₹8,500; in Class 6, ₹8,700; and in Class 7, ₹9,200. A parent has complained to the chief secretary of Panjab and the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ‘There exists an unholy nexus between schools, booksellers, and publishers, leading to severe financial burdens on parents and jeopardizing the accessibility of education for many students. By mandating books from specific private publishers and designated bookshops, often at inflated prices compared to NCERT books, schools are engaging in profiteering at the expense of students and parents. Booksellers sell items 5 to 10 times as compared to their actual cost.’ A year ago, Panjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains formed a task force to address complaints from parents. The minister claimed to have received more than 1,600 complaints from parents within 24 hours of forming the task force. No action followed.
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