<p>A recent study, conducted by a private agency, rated motorists in Bangalore as paying the maximum bribe among all top Indian cities, to escape being fined for illegal parking and other offences. <br /><br /></p>.<p>This study was conducted in five cities across the country and Bangalore topped the list. <br />The study said that a sum of Rs 378 is the average bribe paid by a Bangalorean. <br /><br />While the traffic police claim that they have always asked people to insist on a receipt for spot fines, people say that they are forced to grease the hands of traffic cops when they are caught. <br /><br />They say they are ashamed to be a part of a corrupt system. Metrolife asked the traffic police and a cross-section of Bangaloreans as to what they thought about the study. <br /><br />M A Saleem, additional commissioner of police (traffic and safety), says that he has <br />always taken measures to check corruption among traffic cops. <br /><br />Saleem says, “We have suspended a few traffic policemen who were caught taking bribe. As part of the anti-corruption campaign, we insist that people demand a receipt for spot fine.” <br /><br />Saleem says that the traffic police has provided a number (080-22942276) where people can call in any time between 10 am and 8 pm to lodge a complaint against a corrupt police officer. <br /><br />“But surprisingly, we haven’t got any calls till now. People are not supposed to <br />violate the rules in the first place and when they are caught, they must pay the fine rather than trying to get away,” adds Saleem. <br /><br />Saleem points out that most of the cases booked are ‘contactless’ cases, meaning those cases where the offender is caught on camera and not physically by any cop. <br />“About 50 per cent of the offenders are caught on camera and the fine challan<br />is sent home. But not all offences can be caught on camera, like drunken driving for instance, where you do need police presence,” reasons Saleem. <br /><br />But people are not ready to listen to any explanation by the traffic cops. <br /><br />They wonder how they can have faith in the traffic personnel when they see traffic cops taking bribe. <br /><br />Only a campaign against corruption will create an awakening among the people, they say. <br /><br />Girish, a professor says, “It’s not a great thing to be the most corrupt city in India. I think the youth should take charge and initiate more campaigns against corruption.” <br /><br />Vinod, a marketing professional, feels ashamed that the most popular city in the <br />country has a ‘corrupted’ seal on it. <br /><br />He says, “I feel ashamed to know that Bangalore is the most corrupt city in India. <br />The political system needs to be revamped to ensure that corruption level is brought down drastically.” <br /><br />Women too have the same view. They feel an Anna Hazare was long overdue in this country. <br /><br />They’re happy that some beginning has been made to fight corruption. Meera Muralidhar, a research analyst says, “I wish we had a local Anna Hazare to protest against corruption. People must stop giving bribes and must fight against corruption.” <br /></p>
<p>A recent study, conducted by a private agency, rated motorists in Bangalore as paying the maximum bribe among all top Indian cities, to escape being fined for illegal parking and other offences. <br /><br /></p>.<p>This study was conducted in five cities across the country and Bangalore topped the list. <br />The study said that a sum of Rs 378 is the average bribe paid by a Bangalorean. <br /><br />While the traffic police claim that they have always asked people to insist on a receipt for spot fines, people say that they are forced to grease the hands of traffic cops when they are caught. <br /><br />They say they are ashamed to be a part of a corrupt system. Metrolife asked the traffic police and a cross-section of Bangaloreans as to what they thought about the study. <br /><br />M A Saleem, additional commissioner of police (traffic and safety), says that he has <br />always taken measures to check corruption among traffic cops. <br /><br />Saleem says, “We have suspended a few traffic policemen who were caught taking bribe. As part of the anti-corruption campaign, we insist that people demand a receipt for spot fine.” <br /><br />Saleem says that the traffic police has provided a number (080-22942276) where people can call in any time between 10 am and 8 pm to lodge a complaint against a corrupt police officer. <br /><br />“But surprisingly, we haven’t got any calls till now. People are not supposed to <br />violate the rules in the first place and when they are caught, they must pay the fine rather than trying to get away,” adds Saleem. <br /><br />Saleem points out that most of the cases booked are ‘contactless’ cases, meaning those cases where the offender is caught on camera and not physically by any cop. <br />“About 50 per cent of the offenders are caught on camera and the fine challan<br />is sent home. But not all offences can be caught on camera, like drunken driving for instance, where you do need police presence,” reasons Saleem. <br /><br />But people are not ready to listen to any explanation by the traffic cops. <br /><br />They wonder how they can have faith in the traffic personnel when they see traffic cops taking bribe. <br /><br />Only a campaign against corruption will create an awakening among the people, they say. <br /><br />Girish, a professor says, “It’s not a great thing to be the most corrupt city in India. I think the youth should take charge and initiate more campaigns against corruption.” <br /><br />Vinod, a marketing professional, feels ashamed that the most popular city in the <br />country has a ‘corrupted’ seal on it. <br /><br />He says, “I feel ashamed to know that Bangalore is the most corrupt city in India. <br />The political system needs to be revamped to ensure that corruption level is brought down drastically.” <br /><br />Women too have the same view. They feel an Anna Hazare was long overdue in this country. <br /><br />They’re happy that some beginning has been made to fight corruption. Meera Muralidhar, a research analyst says, “I wish we had a local Anna Hazare to protest against corruption. People must stop giving bribes and must fight against corruption.” <br /></p>
