Cops accept campers from vendors as a quid pro quo

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 9

With not even basic facilities such as cold drinking water at their disposal, traffic cops deputed at various traffic intersections are having a tough time in this summer season. In the absence of any provision by the departments concerned, the traffic cops often ask the private vendors, who supply cold water to shopkeepers in the markets, to unload water campers at police check-posts.   

The cops do not pay the charges, Rs 30 per water camper, as charged from other shopkeepers. However, in lieu of the drinking water facility, the traffic cops have to turn a blind eye to the often overloaded water camper transporting vehicles. 

This single act of apathy against its own employees, the cops, the government is forcing them to take petty favours from rule violators to quench their thirst.  A vendor of such a water supply agent in the Lawrence Road area said if they ask for money from cops, why would they allow the vehicles, which carry three times more load than the prescribed limit, to pass?”

The cops deputed at various police check-posts stated that the department wants them to work with honesty, but does not care to provide them basic facilities. 

“Sitting in the traffic booth which turns into an oven at noon is not an easy thing to do. The cops who have to perform their duties under overbridges or where any tree is available are lucky,” said one of the cops.

Many city residents feel that policing is a tough job and the department must fix working hours for them. “No wonder, traffic cops speak so rudely with people.  They must get basic facilities. It would help in better policing,” said a resident, Harnam Singh. 

The residents suggested that the traffic police department can easily tie up with a firm, which supplies cold drinking water to shopkeepers. “At least water should be available for them and the department can directly make payment to the firm,” suggested a resident, Kirpal Singh.