Pune:
A traffic constable in Pune has been issued a memo by his department head for not "issuing enough challans" to those who break traffic rules.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, traffic constables said they are often given a target for fining people and issuing challans.
A constable posted outside a mall on MG Road said, "We have a target set by our seniors which needs to be fulfilled at the end of the month or we end up getting memos."
The constable added that even if the target given seems reasonable, getting people who are caught violating rules was difficult.
A senior traffic constable posted on MG Road said, "We have a target of 10 challans a day which is a tough task. It's difficult to reach even three to four challans, and 10 is a big number."
Some constables said most offenders try to use contacts with higher authorities and manage to get away.
A traffic policeman at a signal post said, "I am able to issue a reasonable number of challans, but my seniors have to get 30 to 40 challans a day. The number increases with the responsibility of the post."
The policemen also complain that they never end up collecting the full penalty for an offence. "If a driver is caught for two minor offences like getting into a one-way lane and not having a license and he has to pay Rs 850 in fine, we do not get the entire amount. Drivers argue and it either ends with them paying just half the amount due or for only one of the offences committed."
Asked about the practice of setting targets, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Manoj Patil said that there was no such thing.
"There are no numbers given but they have to issue as many challans as possible. Officials need to justify their salary and offenders should not be left without being punished," said Patil. "I can never believe that in a city like Pune, constables find it difficult to issue challans. If someone is not even issuing two challans a day, then he has to justify it."
Traffic challans generate between Rs 85 lakh and Rs 1 crore in revenue every month in the city.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, traffic constables said they are often given a target for fining people and issuing challans.
A constable posted outside a mall on MG Road said, "We have a target set by our seniors which needs to be fulfilled at the end of the month or we end up getting memos."
The constable added that even if the target given seems reasonable, getting people who are caught violating rules was difficult.
A senior traffic constable posted on MG Road said, "We have a target of 10 challans a day which is a tough task. It's difficult to reach even three to four challans, and 10 is a big number."
Some constables said most offenders try to use contacts with higher authorities and manage to get away.
A traffic policeman at a signal post said, "I am able to issue a reasonable number of challans, but my seniors have to get 30 to 40 challans a day. The number increases with the responsibility of the post."
The policemen also complain that they never end up collecting the full penalty for an offence. "If a driver is caught for two minor offences like getting into a one-way lane and not having a license and he has to pay Rs 850 in fine, we do not get the entire amount. Drivers argue and it either ends with them paying just half the amount due or for only one of the offences committed."
Asked about the practice of setting targets, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Manoj Patil said that there was no such thing.
"There are no numbers given but they have to issue as many challans as possible. Officials need to justify their salary and offenders should not be left without being punished," said Patil. "I can never believe that in a city like Pune, constables find it difficult to issue challans. If someone is not even issuing two challans a day, then he has to justify it."
Traffic challans generate between Rs 85 lakh and Rs 1 crore in revenue every month in the city.
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