A traffic constable has been issued a memo by his department head for not "issuing enough challans" to those who break traffic rules

Traffic cop gets memo for low challan count

Au00a0trafficu00a0constable has been issued a memo by his department head for not "issuing enough challans" to those who break traffic rules, never mind the fact that the number of people who commit violations in a day or month is unpredictable and can vary wildly.

MiD DAY has a copy of the memo. When MiD DAY spoke to some traffic constables, it emerged that they are given a target for fining people and issuing challans. The constables spoke on the condition of anonymity.
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 in Camp 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 an offence calls for. "If a driver is caught for two minor offences like getting into a one way and not having a licence 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."

The policemen said they end up getting memos at the end of the month if they fail to generate enough challans.

Another constable posted at Sahukar Nagar said, "There is immense pressure. We have to meet the target set by seniors and if we fail we are answerable."

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 generatebetweenu00a0 Rs 85 lakh and Rs 1 crore in revenue every month in the city.