Now, only PIs can fine tourists
VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM, NOV 7
After being criticised for fleecing the tourist vehicles, the State traffic police have now decided to allow only officer to the level of police inspector to fine the vehicles with non-Goa registration plates.
Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Arvind Gawas said that the lower level traffic police on the street will fine the vehicles with registration plates of other States only if they are caught in blatant violation or suspicious.
He said that the move to allow only senior level officer challan tourists came after traffic police have been accused of harassing tourists.
In the run up to the festive season including Diwali, Christmas and New Year, the State has hoards of vehicles with Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and even Delhi number plates loaded with tourists visiting Goa.
Traffic Police are accused of picking and choosing only tourist vehicles to extort money in the guise of traffic rule violations.
Gawas said that constant complaints forced the department to get their acts right.
In a major issue, tourists who are allowed to have tinted glasses for their vehicles back in their States were fined in Goa as the State has intolerance towards vehicles fitted with tinted glasses. Gawas said that, this time around, the police will issue warning to these vehicles carrying tourists and let them go without fine. “They cannot be blamed as the rule is not thoroughly implemented in their State. We just issue them a warning and let go,” he added.
But, if police find that same vehicle is going around with tinted glasses despite warning then they are not spared. The officer said that field staff is sharp enough to spot the vehicle even after a long gap.
Drive against tinted glasses which was taken on a war footing in Goa on local vehicles in 2009 had 6,187 cases booked in 2009. While, in 2010, 11,680 cases are booked till now and the campaign is continuing.
As per rules, a vehicle’s windshield and back glass should have more than 75 per cent transparency and side can be 50 per cent transparent.
Meanwhile, the traffic department has till date challaned 11,240 traffic violators through ‘notices served at their homes,’ since its beginning three years ago.
The right to challan is given from police inspectors’ upto the DGP level.
While, the notice is served at respective traffic violators home in two days, they are given one month’s time to pay the fine.
However, if they fail, the notice branch sends the matter to the Court. As on date, 1009 cases are being tried at Court.
