The Hindu : Karnataka News : Home Guards roped in to enforce traffic rules

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 26, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka

Home Guards roped in to enforce traffic rules

B.S. Ramesh

400 Home Guards have been drafted for enforcing motor vehicle rules
Collection of fine by Transport Department almost doubles

BANGALORE: In what could be described as a unique experiment of intra-departmental cooperation, the Transport Department has requisitioned the services of Home Guards for enforcement of motor vehicle (MV) norms.

The Department has from October this year been regularly using the services of more than 400 Home Guards in all the districts for enforcing motor vehicle rules.

Enthusiastic

In fact, the Home Guards have been so enthusiastic about their new role, that they have not only helped the Transport Department almost double the fines/amount collected under enforcement of MV norms, but also helped the department in widening its reach and nabbing offenders.

Transport Commissioner Bhaskar Rao told The Hindu that last week more than 400 vehicle owners were “caught” and fined by the Home Guards in Bagalkot city alone.

He says the idea of utilising the services of Home Guards was conceived several months ago but it was only from October that they could be deployed in large numbers.

He said the Home Guards had helped increase the revenue of the department from enforcing MV norms from Rs. 45 crore to Rs. 70 crore.

The department, he said, was so pleased with the selfless and dedicated services of the Home Guards that it rewarded each one of them by training them in driving.

The State thus has an additional 400 home guards who are proficient drivers and their services would be utilised during emergency.

Cases

Mr. Rao said the Home Guards had booked cases against violators relating to all categories in motor vehicle cases, including driving without licence, driving without vehicle documents, driving without insurance, over loading, overspeeding and driving without paying road tax.

Measures

Mr. Rao said several other measures had been taken up to ensure better enforcement. Motor Vehicle Inspectors, long known to wear civil clothes, had been given uniforms.

They were asked to participate in parades which were conducted in almost all the districts.

He clarified that the Home Guards were only supplementing the role of the MV Inspectors in enforcing motor vehicle norms.

He said the department would continue utilising their services as they had proved to be dedicated and sincere workers.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka