The Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) in Punjab is facing a financial crunch as employees continue to wait for their May salary. The delay has been triggered by the state government’s failure to reimburse nearly ₹500 crore to the corporation under its free travel scheme for women. While lakhs of women continue to travel without fare across Punjab daily, the transport workers operating the service are now struggling without their pay.
PRTC’s ₹500 Crores Dues Stall Salaries
According to a report by Hindustan Times, the Punjab government owes around ₹500 crore to PRTC, as reimbursement for its flagship free travel scheme for women, introduced in 2021. While the initiative has allowed women to commute across the state without paying fares, the financial burden has fallen heavily on the shoulders of the corporation.
PRTC requires about ₹27 crore each month to clear salaries and pensions for its staff. However, the lack of timely reimbursements has made it difficult for the corporation to meet its obligations. In April, it reportedly received only ₹44 crore from the government, which was insufficient to clear existing dues.
Also Read: 163 Trains, Including Vande Bharat And Shatabdi Express, Cancelled Due To Punjab Bandh
May Salary Delay Sparks Protests
The May salary delay has triggered discontent among employees, especially contractual staff who have already received only partial payments in the previous months. As per Hindustan Times, employees held a protest at the PRTC headquarters while demanding immediate disbursal of salaries. And warning of an indefinite strike if the issue is not resolved.
Workers claim that this ongoing delay has severely impacted their livelihoods, especially as operational costs continue to rise. The union representing the staff has threatened to halt bus services entirely if the full salary for May and other pending dues are not cleared soon.
Also Read: Delhi: All New Buses Procured To Feature Wheelchair Areas, Low-floor Entry More
Free Ride Scheme V/s Financial Sustainability
While the free travel scheme for women remains popular among the public, its implementation without timely financial support has created a sustainability crisis. Reportedly, PRTC runs over 1,200 buses, and the lack of funds affects both services and morale.
With no immediate resolution in sight, the state now faces growing pressure to balance welfare commitments with operational accountability. Until the ₹500 crore dues are settled, PRTC staff may continue to bear the financial brunt of Punjab’s welfare schemes.
Cover Image Courtesy: PRTC/website