Harpal Juneja Assumes Charge as PRTC Chairman

Patiala, January 31

Following orders from Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Harpal Juneja, the newly appointed Chairman of PRTC, assumed charge today at the PRTC head office here after performing path, kirtan, ardas and expressing gratitude to the Almighty.

During this occasion, AAP state president and cabinet minister Aman Arora, along with state general secretary and spokesperson Baltej Pannu, who arrived specially, congratulated Harpal Juneja. They thanked AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, describing Juneja as a fighter leader of the party, and said that the PRTC institution will now reach even greater heights. Aman Arora and Baltej Pannun further stated that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann values the work of every leader and worker, rewarding those who serve the people with positions.

During the ceremony, Punjab’s Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, Chief Minister’s sister Biba Manpreet Kaur, Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Harchand Singh Barst, MLAs Chetan Singh Jouramajra, Gurdip Dev Mann, Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon, constituency in-charge Ranjodh Singh Hadana, and a large number of other important personalities were present.

Speaking to the media on this occasion, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema congratulated Harpal Juneja and said that national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann have given new responsibility to a hardworking leader, and he hopes that Mr. Juneja will serve the people and the party with diligence, honesty, and transparency without bias. Singh Cheema made special mention of the social service of Juneja’s father, Shri Bhagwan Das Juneja, and said that now Harpal Juneja will take the institution to new peaks.

In response to a question, Harpal Singh Cheema said that there are high expectations from the central budget for Punjab, as the Center has treated Punjab like a stepmother for the past four years. He expressed hope that the country’s Prime Minister will do justice to Punjab by releasing the stalled Rs 8,500 crore fund in this budget, along with the Rs 1,600 crore announced as compensation for floods, and the Rs 20,000 crore proposal sent by Punjab for flood damage compensation.

The Finance Minister further said that, in addition, amid tensions in India-Pakistan relations during Operation Sindoor, the demand for Rs 1,000 crore placed before the central Finance Minister to compensate for the damage to Punjab’s border districts should be fulfilled so that Punjab’s defense line can be strengthened. Apart from this, the MGNREGA scheme for rural laborers should also be restored.

Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that 1,300 more new buses will be added in Punjab for public service. In response to a question, he said that PRTC employees are also his family, so the Punjab government is providing relief to employees by accepting their legitimate demands. Congratulating Harpal Juneja, he said he hopes that he will take the institution on the path of progress. Laljit Singh Bhullar further said that now more government buses are running in the state than private ones, and all illegal and permit-less buses have been shut down.

Newly appointed Chairman Harpal Juneja thanked AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia, Punjab president and cabinet minister Aman Arora, and Baltej Pannun, saying that he will live up to the trust placed in him under all circumstances.

Promising to fulfill the big responsibility given by the party with full dedication and honesty, Chairman Harpal Juneja said that he will leave no stone unturned to take PRTC on the path of progress and make Punjab Rangla Punjab. He stated that PRTC will soon add 254 buses under the km scheme, 100 midi buses, and 309 large new buses.

PRTC MD Bikramjit Singh Shergill welcomed the new Chairman and assured that full efforts will be made to take the institution on the path of progress in line with the Punjab government’s directions. All PRTC General Managers were present with him.

On this occasion, Municipal Corporation Mayor Kundan Gogiya, Senior Deputy Mayor Harinder Kohli, Deputy Mayor Jagdeep Singh Jagga, AAP rural president and Improvement Trust Chairman Harpal Singh Virk, Megh Chand Shermajra, District Planning Committee Chairman Tejinder Mehta, Chairman Baljinder Singh Dhillon, Chairman Jassi Sohian Wala, Veerpal Kaur Chahal, Vice Chairman Balwinder Singh Jharwan, Director Charanjit Singh Dhalliwal and Gurpreet Singh Virk, Inderjit Singh Sandhu, Gurvinder Singh, Simran Grewal, Amrik Singh Bangar, Brahmanand Giri from Hindu Takht, Shiv Sena Hindustan national president Pawan Gupta, Shiv Sena leader Harish Singla, Angrez Singh, Vinod Singla, Gurpreeet Dhamoli, Bhagwan Das Juneja and family members, along with a large number of PRTC employees, AAP party leaders, workers, and prominent persons from Patiala’s social, religious, and other sections were present.