Government must come out with a mechanism to curb corrupt practices by its employees
Goa police on Wednesday posted on a social media platform: “Regarding the irregularity in depositing traffic prosecution amount of Bicholim PS (police station), an inquiry was ordered immediately as soon as the matter came to notice.” The post further mentioned that the police personnel concerned was suspended and the amount in question deposited in the government account. “As per the outcome of the inquiry, further action will be taken,” stated the post on the social media platform.
Over Rs 13 lakh pertaining to traffic challans, which was allegedly misappropriated by a lady police constable, was deposited in the government account on Wednesday. The amount is from last year’s traffic challans. The constable was previously attached to the Bicholim police station where the incident of misappropriation of traffic challan had occurred, according to police investigation. The matter came to light after the traffic department informed the SP North Goa after they did not receive the traffic challan receipts of the previous year. Following this, an inquiry was conducted wherein it came to light that the police constable had not deposited the amount in the government treasury.
Several questions have arisen in light of this case. Why did the constable deposit the amount in the government exchequer only after a preliminary inquiry was conducted? Does depositing the money in the government exchequer absolve her? Is suspension the appropriate punishment or does it vary from person to person? Why was an FIR not registered promptly? Is the government interested in curbing corrupt practices among employees of government and semi-government bodies? Also, considering past cases, shouldn’t there be cashless challan payments? Some years ago, it was reported that some unauthorised “duplicate challan books” were in circulation with some traffic policemen. There were also allegations in the past that the cash collected on “discounted rates” by some policemen for traffic violations would never be deposited in the exchequer.
Some months ago, a case was booked against a clerk attached to the Margao municipality for not depositing sopo collection of the fair organised by the municipality on the occasion of a local feast. It had taken a long time for the municipal council to act against the person. Then, a few months ago, Goa was rocked by the cash-for-government-jobs scam, and in the matter, job seekers are still waiting to get their money back. The police made many arrests, but no political connection was made public.
In the contraband smuggling case at the Central Jail in Colvale, the government has suspended two police officials. Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira has sought the dismissal of the jail official and two police personnel in connection with two separate incidents – contraband smuggling at Central Jail Colvale and misappropriation of money collected in traffic fines at Bicholim police station. He has also alleged that there has been an attempt to cover up.
Regarding the “misappropriation” of the traffic violation challan money, can the government allow the police to keep cash with themselves for weeks or months? Is this the tip of the iceberg? Is there no check or supervision over the policemen issuing challans for traffic violations?
Considering that the ingenuity of some policemen knows no bounds, the government needs to create a foolproof system if it wants to curb corrupt practices. With zero tolerance to corruption seemingly only on paper, there seems to be no fear of law among government employees, especially policemen.
