Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 5: In a decisive move to curb complaints of harassment and corruption within its ranks, the Goa government has significantly restricted the authority to issue traffic challans. Effective Friday, only Police Inspectors (PIs) equipped with body cameras are authorized to issue challans during the day, with Police Sub-Inspectors (PSIs) also permitted to do so at night, provided they too are wearing body cameras. This new regulation applies across all police stations and traffic units, with a formal notification expected on Saturday.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced the stringent measure to reporters following a review meeting on the implementation of new criminal laws. He stated, "From today onwards, during daylight hours, only Police Inspectors with functioning body cameras are authorized to issue challans. During the night, both PIs and PSIs wearing body cameras will have this authority. No other police personnel are permitted to issue on-the-spot fines."

The Chief Minister explained that this significant change was prompted by numerous complaints from both tourists and local residents alleging harassment by traffic police officers on field duty. "I have received a considerable number of complaints, and I have taken this matter with utmost seriousness," Sawant emphasized. "Let me be unequivocally clear: on-the-spot challans can only be issued by PIs during the day and by PIs and PSIs during the night. The mandatory wearing of body cameras is crucial for this authorized personnel. Furthermore, violations will also be documented through dash cameras, traffic signal cameras, and AI-enabled surveillance systems. The challans will then be directly dispatched to the registered addresses of the vehicle owners."

Elaborating on the new enforcement mechanism, Sawant clarified that traffic offenders may not always be stopped on the road but can still be penalized based on photographic or video evidence captured by the various surveillance systems. "The photographic evidence will serve as irrefutable proof, and the challan will be sent directly to the violator's home address. There is no longer a need to stop every minor traffic offender on the road unless it involves a major or dangerous violation," he stated.

Sawant also issued a stern warning to lower-ranking police officials who might attempt to circumvent the new regulations. "If any police personnel below the rank of PI or PSI, not wearing a body camera, are found misusing the system by issuing unauthorized challans or collecting fines, citizens are urged to take a photograph and report it directly to the police department. We will take immediate action and suspend the concerned personnel. This is a non-negotiable directive," he asserted firmly.

The Chief Minister further clarified that even on Goa's popular beaches, police officers are strictly prohibited from coercing tourists or locals into paying fines on the spot. "Individuals found to be in violation must be directed to the nearest police station, where the proper legal procedures can be followed," he instructed, adding that the same principle would apply to officials from the Regional Transport Office (RTO). "Only taluka-level nodal officers within the RTO, who are also equipped with body cameras, will be authorized to issue challans; no officer of a lower rank will have this authority."

While underscoring the government's commitment to transparency and accountability within the police force, Chief Minister Sawant also cautioned the public against indiscriminately blaming all police personnel, acknowledging the dedicated service of many within the department.