New powers to cops worry many

UP GOVERNMENT'S decision to allow civil police to realise fine from violators of traffic law has few takers.Till now this power was vested in the traffic police and the RTO. On their part, the civil police had been functioning only as the challaning authority and had not been realising fine.

UP GOVERNMENT'S decision to allow civil police to realise fine from violators of traffic law has few takers.

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Till now this power was vested in the traffic police and the RTO.

On their part, the civil police had been functioning only as the challaning authority and had not been realising fine. But, with the State Cabinet's nod to allow them to tread into this area, the Government, it appears, is probably unwittingly providing them with the opportunity to indulge in more corruption, says president of Allahabad Goods Transport and Motor Operators Association Anil Kushwaha.

"Till now the RTO and the traffic cops had been harassing us in the name of challan but with the State Cabinet's nod, police personnel will also get a licence to harass us," he added.

Earlier, cops had been illegally realising 'suvidhashulk' from us and when caught by their superiors had also been getting suspended.

But with this new-found opportunity, they would totally go berserk, forget about their prime responsibility of maintaining law and order and delve into an area which should not be allowed to become their domain, feels Lalit Singh, proprietor of Lalit Transport.

"Cops on picket duty had already been extracting money from our truck drivers. Now it will be no holds barred for them," said another transporter, who wished anonymity. They will now force us to part with money at the time of unloading of vehicles on flimsy grounds. It would be better if the government also took steps to plug the loopholes in such laws before enacting them. Else it would breed more corruption, he added.

The public too will be affected by the new power given to cops, feel some shopkeepers of Civil Lines. With no proper parking arrangements at public places, people will be forced to park their vehicles at convenient places and become open to harassment, says Shailendra Tripathi, a resident of Civil Lines.

In general interest, it would be better if the government first ensures proper parking facilities before coming out with such arrangement, he feels.