Bhubaneswar police draw SOP for constables to slap fines under MV Act

BHUBANESWAR: The commissionerate police has prepared a standard operating procedure (SOP) for traffic constables, who are set to start imposing fines under the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
The government had in March empowered the constables, only in the twin city, to impose fines under the MV Act.
The traffic constables (76 in Bhubaneswar and 44 in Cuttack), who completed their training a few days ago, are likely to take on their new duties in July. They have been taught to use e-challan devices and told about the amended MV Act with steep penal provisions that came into force from September 1, 2019.
Until now, officers in the rank of assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and above were empowered to impose the fines under the MV Act. But the shortage of such officers had been affecting the enforcement activities in the twin city.
According to the SOP, the constables cannot receive fines in cash from the traffic violators. They will receive the fine amount only through credit/debit cards by using the swipe machines. If the violators don’t have credit/debit cards, the constables should take down their details, click their photos along with the vehicles and ask them to deposit the fine at the traffic office.
The havildars and constables should be dressed up in smart and clean uniforms. They should always be deployed in pairs (one male and one female) for ease of traffic enforcement. They must wear body cameras to record the entire day’s enforcement activities to avoid any allegations of corruption or high-handed behaviour, the SOP read.
The constables have been advised to carry VHF sets for immediate communication with the control room, traffic police stations and local police stations during emergencies. They will carry a diary in which they will mention the events of importance during the enforcement drive and the diary will be countersigned at the end of their shift by the traffic inspector-in-charge (IIC).
The behaviour of these traffic personnel should be cordial. They should be punctual and committed to their duty. They should be regularly briefed by seniors about emerging traffic enforcement laws. The traffic ACP and IICs should regularly monitor the enforcement activities by the constables, the SOP said.
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