PANJIM: Over 14 months after the implementation of the scheme, the State Cabinet has only now on Thursday formally approved the controversial Traffic Sentinel Scheme with retrospective effect.
The approval has come at a time when the incidents of violent attacks on sentinels have been reported throughout the State.
While Goa Traffic Police has been fining riders for 14 months based on Whatsapp photos, it is now come to the fore that the scheme was illegal till now as per the State cabinet note prepared by Home Department for Thursday’s Cabinet meeting.
The note says that due to a rise in vehicular population, an increasing number of accidents is a matter of concern. Moreover, violations of traffic laws in the State are also increasing and it is not feasible to detail traffic staff of the Police Department at each and every corner due to limited manpower resources.
“Therefore, to enable and encourage citizens to participate and assist the traffic police, it was proposed to start “Traffic Sentinel Scheme”, the note by Chief Secretary Parimal Rai reads.
What comes as a shock was the scheme was started just on the approval of the Chief Minister without following due process.
“With the approval of the Chief Minister the scheme was commenced on 10/11/2017. However, the scheme was not referred to the Home Department for notification and process as per Rules of Business. This observation was made by the Finance Department on 31/10/2018 seeking regularisation of the process before funds could be permitted to be drawn to be paid to traffic sentinels as per the scheme,” the note reads.
“The implementation of the Traffic Sentinel Scheme w.e.f 10/11/2017 has to be regularised in terms of Rule 7(2) of the Rules of Business 1991, as the Traffic Department has to pay the outstanding reward money to the informants of traffic violations as per the scheme,” the note says.
It is surprising that without the Cabinet approval, Goa Police has already paid Rs 17 lakh as award to sentinels in three different award ceremonies.
The note further says that the scheme has received tremendous response from people and also received a Special Jury Award for Smart Policing from Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), New Delhi.
The scheme has been appreciated by other State police forces, who want to implement it in their State, the note reads.
Dy Speaker and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo who had demanded scrapping of the scheme says if the scheme was implemented without orders than the people’s money has to be refunded.
“If the scheme was started with Administrative approval of Home Department then it was legal but if it wasn’t then the scheme was totally illegal and the people’s money has to be returned,” Lobo told Herald.
He added, “We are in a democracy and the Police or Home Department cannot work as per their whims and fancies.”
When questioned about the legality of the Scheme, DGP Mukhtesh Chandar said the scheme was legal as it was approved by the Chief Minister.
On being asked about the recent spate of accusations against the sentinels reporting violations and alleged harassment of the motorists, the DGP slammed such groups with a warning to take penal action against them. “Some misguided people are blaming sentinels. Why are they not blaming themselves for disobeying traffic laws?” he said.
SP Traffic Dinraj Govekar, “Some disgruntled elements are making allegations. We are not revenue generating agency but to ensure inculcating road discipline and prevent loss of innocent lives.”
Meanwhile, the traffic police have initiated an inquiry into the challan issued to a person for not wearing helmet whereas he was in fact driving a car.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Dharmesh Angle said that an inquiry has been initiated in connection with the mistake while also stating that the Traffic Sentinel is App-based service and there is a possibility of human error in the issuance of the challan.
