Kerala: More fines, less money

Thiruvananthapuram: The traffic police waylaying vehicles and slapping fines on violators were a usual sight in the city until Sunday even as cash shortage due to demonetisation continued.    A man identified as Sivakumar was spotted riding solo on Sunday at around 11.30 am and he was stopped at Museum Junction for riding without a helmet. Like many others, he made excuses for not bringing change and flaunted a Rs 2,000 note. Police wasted no moment and issued a ‘chequenote’ receipt to pay the penalty at the Pattom station in seven days.

The catch is, at the station also payment has to be made in cash, not by card, as there is no POS terminal. “There is no swiping at the traffic station. You will have to give money if you are coming to pay directly,” said traffic circle inspector (North) Satheesh Kumar. In cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, police carries swiping machines as they go for checking.

In Kerala, you will be lucky if your traffic offences figure out in MVD or police e-payment portals where payment can be made online. “If demonetisation causes discomforts in paying the penalty, please take extra care not to break the law,” a smiling officer said. Unlike in Kerala, Ahmedabad police has restrained from vehicle checking for first two days of demonetisation. In Pune, the fine collection drive was stopped shortly due protests.