LAHORE: The Yellow Cab Scheme has neither provided jobs nor has it provided masses with an alternative form of public transport.
Under the scheme, 20,000 cabs were allotted on lease through banks on nominal rates. Most beneficiaries are using the vehicles as private cars. Critics allege that Punjab government used the scheme for political leverage and a majority of vehicles were given to PML-N workers. It is surprising to note that hardly a yellow cab seen on city roads. The Punjab government in 2011-12 budget had earmarked Rs 4.5 billion and distributed some 20,000 cabs among what it said were the ‘deserving and needy’.
However no funds were allocated for the scheme in 2012-2013 budget but the government has pledged to distribute another 20,000 cabs during the fiscal year.People have urged the CM to take notice of the situation and order action against those who obtained yellow cabs to use as private vehicles and robbed deserving candidates of income opportunities. – PT
