Saturday, May 24, 2008

Simple! Isn't it...?!

We don't pay; we bribe them!
They don't mind; they are not paid anyway!

This vicious cycle, even for the least keen, should be apparent! I think I have a solution; Oh yes! Just like the billion others...!

Raise the fine; make it inhuman!
Pay a part of the fine collected to the one who collects it!

In other words, what the corporates would say - tie the pay to the performance!

To elaborate: As of today fines for breaking traffic rules vary from Rs. 100 for parking related charges (towing charges extra) to about Rs. 1000 for license related issues. However, the problem is that about 70-80% (figure not reliable; it is simply heuristic) of us do not pay those fines! And, when offered the poorly paid constable has to be really stupid or fairy-tale good to not accept it! No challans; free for half the charges!

Now, I suggest set the fines at a flat rate of Rs. 2500 for any and every offense committed (revised upwards for repeat offense). Further still, the constable gets 20% or Rs. 500 for every collection he makes and submits! This measure would be two pronged...
1. The constable is now keen to look out for smart-asses in the traffic
2. No smart-ass dares to break the rule!

Of course, one could argue that the offender could still bribe off the constable. Well, let him! But now, his wallet would have to be lighter by Rs. 500 (at least). This by Indian standards is high; very high. So, either ways people are now doubly disciplined. To start with, at least...

Simple! Isn't it...?!

4 comments:

advijay said...

Railways have successfully done this. They levy a fine of Rs250 for ticketless travelling + the train fare and a portion of the total amount goes to the TTE. So he doesnot bother to accept any bribes because he is earning more legitimately.

Abinav Kumar said...

see... there we go! viju, any idea what percentage of the fine does the TTE take home?

Ram said...

Good idea...did you try contacting RTO or something? This should go a long way in curbing bribing.

Abinav Kumar said...

Hmm... nope! Well.. let me try seeing if I could do it...

I could surely put this through to newspapers, I guess...