Pramesh S Jain & Yogesh K Porwar
As the 50% rebate window for the resolution of pending traffic violation cases drew to a close on Saturday (February 11), Bengaluru Traffic Police disposed 41 lakhs cases and collected over Rs.120 crore in fines between February 3 and 11.
However,as this falls short of the target set by BTP, which is enthused by the overwhelming response to the rebate offer, the police have sought an extension of the rebate period.When last checked,the State government was yet to extend the deadline.
On Saturday,there were long queues in all the traffic stations and TMC as motorists waiting to pay their dues.Until 9 p.m., 9.45 lakh cases were resolved, and Rs 31.26 crore was collected.
Dr.MA Saleem,Special Commissioner of traffic,said,People thronged at police station and heavy traffic noticed at online payment gateways to pay their dues .
Considering the response the traffic police have written to state legal service authority and transport department to extend the time for the discounted payment.
The discounted one time traffic fine payment option was initiated after a resolution moved by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority in January 27 requesting the state transport department to facilitate “access to justice for all”traffic fines imposed by the state government across the cities in Karnataka.
Based on the resolution,the state transport department sent a recommendation to the government to offer a 50 per cent discount on traffic fines in the state.
