It is a well-known fact that most among us have our vehicle papers right just to skip the wrath of a hungry preying policeman. Things are finally expected to change for better as a fresh directive from Milind Bharambe, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), directs officials not to check PUC and Insurance papers until further notice. This will mean that traffic policemen will no longer interrupt motorist at their will to check for PUC and Insurance papers.
The move is aimed at rooting out corruption and emphasizing that constables start using the e-challan system only for offences. The notification states instances of constables asking for documents that have often lead to arguments, which often ends with bribing the official. The e-challan system is aimed at ensuring that motorists follow traffic rules, to enforce discipline to the city’s traffic as well as to implement the cashless system. Even though there has been a clear directive, the department is receiving complaints that officers and constables are not maintaining transparency during action.
The department has reportedly setup a separate disciplinary team which will report directly to the assistant commissioner. As for action against the policemen, the team will look into it in accordance to instructions from the traffic chief. Moreover, it is believed that in the past too, the constables had been asked to refrain from asking for PUC papers. However given their real motive behind such random checks, the ground reality has always been otherwise.
