Traffic violators paying extra than just fines

Hyderabad: There have been instances where we all have broken traffic rules at some point, and reluctantly paid the fine after getting caught. If you checked the challan carefully, you would find an entry of Rs 35 above the challan payment.

Vijay Gopal and Sai Teja from the Forum Against Corruption (FAC) have filed an RTI questioning these extra charges. The break up given by the Telangana police stated that as per the GO MS no 307, dated December 26, 2007, the violator has to pay user charges of Rs 35, along with the fine amount.

Rs 5 are being collected for e-Seva, Rs 15 for postal charges, Rs 10 for police user and Rs 5 for Andhra Pradesh Technology Services Limited (APTS), which is now Telangana Technology Services Limited (TSTS).

Speaking to The Hans India here, Anil Kumar, additional traffic commissioner Hyderabad, said, "The user charges are imposed according to the Government Order 307, 2012. The user charges include the fee for the software update and maintenance of the cameras and equipment, buying new cameras, paying for software developers, paper cost, printing and delivery cost."

He further added, "We are constantly working on a war-footing to improve the enforcement and to bring in more transparency and accountability in our records. Due to e-challans, the allegations of bribing of policemen have been somewhat eradicated." Founder of Forum Against Corruption (FAC) Vijay Gopal says, "According to the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), the police are not authorized to collect any extra charges on top of the fined amount.

The effort is on to move closer to the non-contact system between the police and commuters. Issuing a GO simply doesn't authorize the traffic police to charge any excess amount, apart from the fine." "The MV Act does not authorize any police to collect any service charges, user charges, convenience charges, etc.

The police claim that the postal charges are charged for the chalan copy, which is sent to the registered address of the violators. Everyone has a smartphone and can pay the challan fees online itself. Then, how will the e-seva and postal apply here," added Gopal.