the goan I network
MAPUSA
Calling the traffic sentinel scheme a scam, the North Goa District Congress Committee President Vijay Bhike on Thursday urged the government to either revoke the traffic sentinel scheme within seven days or face the wrath of Congress workers.
“Instead of enforcing the law, the scheme is utilized to harass the common man. Nearly 99 percent of fines are issued to people in cities and maximum violations are for riding without a helmet. The government should revoke the scheme within seven days or else we will lead a morcha to the offices of SP North and South,” Bhike said.
The North Goa District Congress chief was addressing a news conference in the party office in Mapusa along with district general secretary Roma Fernandes, vice president Chandan Mandrekar and other office bearers.
Speaking further, Bhike said sentinel schemes will be even more beneficial if introduced in other departments like the Town and Country Planning department (TCP), revenue department and even in the Prime Minister’s pet scheme “ the Swacch Bharat Mission.
“The government has lost control on the garbage issue. A sentinel scheme on Swacch Bharat will be a lot more beneficial,” he said.
He also said that similar schemes should be implemented in the Town and Country Planning department where hill cutting and destruction of environment was rampant.
Labelling the sentinel scheme a scam, Bhike said out of Rs 100 fine issued to a helmetless rider, Rs 70 was paid to the sentinel and another Rs 15-20 was spent on postage to deliver the challan to the offender.
He said the scheme was appropriate on highways as more accidents happen on highways than city roads.
Porvorim Congress party convenor Adv Shankar Phadte said that the government’s intention was to collect revenue, but in the bargain it was inconveniencing the public.
“Such schemes will only create tension and lead to oppression of the public. We appeal to the government to stop this scheme before it goes out of hand,” Phadte said.
He said entrusting policing rights in the hands of the public was not the right way of tackling issues.
