Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant’s recent traffic reform in Goa—restricting the issuance of challans under the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act exclusively to Police Inspectors (PI) and Police Sub-Inspectors (PSI)—has drawn praise from across state borders. The move was lauded by Islampur MLA Jayant Patil during a session in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, where he highlighted its positive impact on commuters in Goa.
Jayant Patil, a senior legislator and influential voice in Maharashtra politics, commended CM Sawant for his bold initiative, stating that it has significantly reduced the harassment of motorists by limiting the authority to issue traffic fines to higher-ranking police officials. According to Patil, this reform ensures greater accountability within the police force and enhances transparency in the enforcement of traffic regulations.
Patil further emphasized that ordinary commuters in Goa have experienced a noticeable decrease in arbitrary or excessive challans, which were previously a source of public frustration. By centralizing the responsibility for issuing fines, the Goa government has not only improved public trust but also set a precedent for other states to follow.
Urging the Maharashtra government to adopt a similar model, Patil argued that such a policy would help address widespread concerns about misuse of power and corruption in traffic enforcement. He called for a review of current practices in Maharashtra, suggesting that restricting the authority to issue challans to senior officers would promote fairness and reduce opportunities for misconduct.
The endorsement from a neighboring state’s legislator underscores the growing recognition of Goa’s innovative approach to governance. CM Sawant’s traffic reform is now being viewed as a model for others, with the potential to inspire broader administrative reforms aimed at improving public service and accountability across India.