Panjim : Social Media activist Tejinder Bagga, a prominent BJP leader, recently shared a powerful observation from his trip to Goa that deserves national attention.
He wrote: “Last night I was driving from Panjim to Ashvem and saw a traffic police officer checking cars. He had a body cam recording the entire interaction. I asked him about it, and he said CM Dr Pramod Sawant has made a rule in Goa that only officers with body cams can issue challans. This isn’t just stopping corruption, it’s bringing real transparency into the system. I genuinely feel all states should follow this model.”
This simple yet revolutionary policy, introduced under Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, mandates that traffic police must wear functional body cameras while issuing challans. No body cam—no fine. The message is clear: every interaction between a citizen and a traffic officer will be recorded, leaving no room for arbitrary fines, harassment, or under-the-table settlements.
In a country where traffic police encounters often breed suspicion and allegations of bribery, Goa has set a gold standard for accountability. The presence of a body camera protects both the citizen and the honest officer. Disputes can be settled with evidence, not arguments. False complaints against policemen reduce, and corrupt practices get exposed instantly.
What Goa has done is not just administrative reform—it’s a trust-building measure between the state and its people. Other states, especially those struggling with rampant traffic police corruption, must take note. Body cameras are affordable, easy to implement, and deliver immediate results.
Kudos to CM Dr Pramod Sawant for showing the way. It’s time the rest of India followed.