Govt to explain powers to DTOs for traffic challan disposal

Chandigarh, April 28 Taking strong note of the powers given to the District Transport Officers (DTOs) to dispose of traffic challans, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notices to the Punjab government on a PIL highlighting the issue.
The PIL was jointly filed by advocate H C Arora and advocate A P S Shergill. The petitioners submitted that the State Transport Commissioner, Punjab, has issued a circular dated February 8 to all District Transport Officers informing of this decision, taken at a meeting held on December 14 last year under the chairmanship of the chief secretary.
The DTOs have been directed to fix a stipulated time in their respective offices for the disposal of the challans that are sent to their offices by the Punjab Police, which should be displayed on the board for the information of the public. It should be ensured that the DTO/ Assistant DTO is present at the office during that specified time.
The IG Police (Traffic), Punjab, has also issued a circular dated February 28 to all Senior Superintendents of Police of the districts directing them to present traffic challans before the concerned DTOs instead of courts.
Expressing annoyance over the action of the Punjab government, the High Court has directed the counsel for Punjab to seek instructions for the withdrawal of the circular.
Express News Service
Posted online: Tuesday , April 29, 2008 at 12:00:01Updated: Tuesday , April 29, 2008 at 12:00:01
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