Punjab has become the first state in country to launch online National Permits for trucks and heavy vehicles as Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal handed over permits to truck operators within minutes of their filing applications at Patiala.<br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion he said that Punjabi transporters are the backbone of the country’s transport system and it is the primary duty of government to solve their problems on priority.<br/><br/>He said that obtaining national permit was a cumbersome as well as costly process with transporters being forced to shell out Rs 3000 per state every year for the permit.<br/><br/>He said that he believed in the principal of ‘one country one permit’ and this national permit at a meager cost of Rs 15,000 would give freedom to the truck operator to operate his truck from Kashmir to Kanyakumari without any additional tax.