Pune: ‘Click a picture of a driver talking on the phone and get a reward’, a scheme implemented by Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML), has been re-introduced after a gap of just five months. Treading cautiously to ensure that the scheme is not misused, this time the transport body has made strict rules to claim the reward.
The scheme, which was introduced in 2014 to ensure passenger safety and disciplining of bus drivers, was scrapped by former PMPML chairman and managing director Tukaram Mundhe.
Now, the utility has decided to increase the penalty from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 and the complainant will get a reward of Rs 1,000. The other remaining Rs 1,000 will go to the PMPML welfare fund.
In 2010, then PMPML chairman and managing director Subbarao Patil had started the scheme to curb the practice of drivers talking on cell phones while on duty. Though the scheme was announced in 2010, the actual implementation started in 2014. Pictures of buses standing on zebra crossings and fuel leakages were also rewarded initially, but scrapped in a few months due to poor response.
“If a driver is found talking on the phone while driving, Rs 2,000 from his salary will be deducted. Out of this Rs 2,000, Rs 1,000 will be given as reward to the complainant and Rs 1,000 will be deposited in the PMPML employees’ welfare fund,” said Subhash Gaikwad, spokesperson of PMPML.
Another PMPML official said, “It was observed that only a certain set of people received cash rewards, which gave rise to doubts. Hence, Mundhe had decided to do away with the scheme and it was decided that the fines collected from drivers will be deposited in the welfare fund. However, now it is being felt that people’s participation is needed to identify the offenders and hence, the scheme has been restarted.”
“Now, a complainant will be rewarded only Rs 1,000 for up to three complaints. In cases where a complainant complains more than thrice, the complaint will not get any cash reward and the entire amount will be deposited in the welfare fund,” added Gaikwad.
As per numbers available with PMPML, in 2014, there were only seven complaints, while in 2015, the number went up to 16. In 2016, 37 such issues were reported and till July 31 this year, 18 such complaints were lodged.
