AGARTALA, June 30 (TIWN): The Department of Audit is reported to have put serious objection to 610 compound challans ‘missing’ from the Traffic Department authorities in Gomati district between 2009 and 2012, a highly placed source said today.Asked about the amount of money the Traffic officials are authorized to fine using the ‘missing’ compound challans, the source said that Rs. 1.52 lakh could have been fined using the papers if the officials fined barely Rs. 100 per challan. The compound challans can be used for fining Motor Vehicles Act violators way higher than that, even Rs. 19,000 on a single challan. The issue was reportedly informed to the Home Department. A DIG of the state police sought clarification over the issue.

The source said that with rising corruption in the state police, need for periodic note of checks and balances of the traffic and police has come to be considered as an immediate necessity. The traffic police authorities have recently drawn flak from several quarters due to indiscriminate confiscation of motorcycle riders’ properties including plastic helmets which violated the latest guidelines from the High Court of Tripura. Often seizure lists were not provided to bike riders whose plastic helmets were confiscated by the traffic police authorities.