Telangana BJP calls Congress 'hypocritical' over auto-debit fine plan

Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao slammed CM Revanth Reddy's proposed auto-debit system for traffic fines, calling it an invasion of privacy and exposing the 'hypocrisy' of the Congress party on issues of digital surveillance.

BJP Slams Proposal as 'Invasion of Privacy'

Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao on Tuesday criticised Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's proposal to introduce an auto-debit system for traffic fines, alleging that the move would compromise citizens' privacy and expose what he termed the "hypocrisy" of the Congress party.

Reacting to the Chief Minister's statement on stricter enforcement of traffic rules, Rao said, "BJP doesn't approve of any default in fines or traffic rule violations. However, the CM of Telangana has stated that those who violate traffic rules will have their accounts automatically synchronised with the RTI department and their fines deducted." He alleged that the proposal invades digital surveillance and privacy. "The Congress party has opposed Sanchar Sathi, the app introduced by the Government of India, on the grounds that it will invade our privacy. The same thing is now they are doing it. Our accounts, our privacy, and our financial position will definitely be compromised," Rao added.

"The hypocrisy of the Congress Party has been exposed," Telangana BJP President added.

CM Calls for Stricter Traffic Enforcement

The remarks come after Chief Minister Revanth Reddy called for the removal of traffic fine discounts in drunk driving cases and urged strict action against violators.

CM Reddy said that he has instructed the police not to grant any waivers to individuals who violate traffic rules and are issued challans. He added that vehicles should be linked to their owners at the time of registration and that an auto-debit system should be introduced, under which the fine amount would be directly deducted from the vehicle owner's account in case of any traffic violation. "Police have the responsibility to control people who are driving in a drunk condition; strict action should be taken against them. On rash driving, you impose a challan, and at the year's end, you are waiving off. With that, people think that the Police will give a discount at the end of the year anyway, and they take it easy. I am instructing the Police, without imposing challans try to control them. If anyone violates rules and a challan is imposed, don't give them any waiver. Police should link the vehicles with owners at the time of registration and should bring the auto debit system, and if anyone commits any traffic violation, the amount should be directly deducted from the vehicle owner's account," CM Revanth Reddy said on Monday. (ANI)

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