Chandigarh, November 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur on Monday reiterated that the safety of school-going children remains a top priority for the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, asserting that there would be no compromise on compliance with safety norms.
She said the Safe School Vehicle Policy was being implemented across all districts to ensure that children travel safely to school and return home without risk. District School Vehicle Checking Committees are conducting regular inspections of school buses to enforce mandatory safety provisions and prevent negligence that could endanger children’s lives.
Sharing the enforcement figures, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that a total of 13,995 school buses were inspected across Punjab from 2025 to September 2026. Of these, 3,621 were challaned and 31 were impounded for violations of the prescribed safety standards.
Giving the year-wise breakdown, she said the district committees inspected 8,325 school buses during 2025. A total of 2,026 buses were challaned and 24 impounded for failing to meet mandatory safety requirements.
During the special checking drive from January to September 2026, another 5,670 buses were inspected. Of these, 1,595 were challaned and seven impounded for violating the policy’s safety guidelines.
The Minister said the government had adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards violations that could put schoolchildren’s lives at risk. She directed Deputy Commissioners, District School Vehicle Checking Committees, concerned departments, school managements and vehicle operators to ensure strict implementation of every provision of the policy and take immediate corrective action wherever deficiencies are detected.
Appealing to school managements, vehicle operators and parents, Dr. Baljit Kaur said child safety was a shared responsibility. She urged schools to operate only vehicles that meet the prescribed safety standards, asked operators to follow all guidelines strictly, and called upon parents to remain vigilant and report violations to the concerned authorities.
Reaffirming the Mann government’s commitment, she said the state would continue to strengthen safety measures and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that every child in Punjab reaches school and returns home safely every day.
FOLLOW NOW
