Patiala, July 16 -- Contractual employees of the PRTC, Punjab roadways and PUNBUS on Wednesday announced to shut down bus stands across the state from Thursday onwards after one of their colleagues was terminated by the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) over alleged financial fraud.The PRTC management terminated the services of contractual conductor Gurvinder Singh, deployed on the Patran-Chandigarh route, following a departmental inquiry into alleged irregularities in the deposit of bus stand fees - charged for parking and operating buses at designated terminals. According to the inquiry report accessed by Hindustan Times, Gurvinder embezzled Rs.3,422 during May by manipulating the deposit of bus stand fees, which conductors must deposit daily along with municipal receipts. The alleged fraud came to light after a cashier noticed discrepancies while scrutinising the receipts submitted by conductors. Officials said suspicion arose when the serial number on the fee receipt submitted by Gurvinder did not match the sequence of receipts submitted by other conductors operating on the same route. Following the discrepancy, the corporation ordered a departmental inquiry. During the investigation, officials examined the receipts and other records before concluding that receipts for fees amounting to Rs.3,422 were fake. PRTC officials told HT that Gurwinder was subsequently issued a show-cause notice and granted an opportunity to present his explanation during a personal hearing. However, officials said his reply failed to satisfactorily explain the discrepancies. Based on the inquiry findings and his response, the corporation decided to terminate his contractual services....