Punjab Transport Minister Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said on Friday that unpaid road taxes, mainly private bus operators, were causing financial losses to the public treasury and that the crackdown against them will continue.

Warring, who performed an early morning surprise check at the Patiala Interstate Bus Terminal (ISBT) to oversee facilities for commuters, said: “By checking operators for tax evasion and impounding circulating buses. without a permit, the department saw an increase in revenues for the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) from ??1.70 crore to ??1.87 crore.

The minister said that to control the transport mafia, the department has empowered regional transport authorities (RTAs) and general managers to inspect buses operating illegally within 500 meters of the affected bus stop.

Private bus operators affected by the Covid have benefited from a tax exemption of ??100 crore but if operators still delay paying taxes, strict action will be taken against them, he added.

The Minister also congratulated PRTC conductor Milkha Singh on a special cash award from ??5,100 for having performed his duty with honesty and diligence.