FAISALABAD: Traffic wardens spent more time on ticketing drivers than regulating traffic as in April and May they imposed Rs38 million fine and challaned 101,514 vehicles in the district, Dawn has learnt.

The drivers of motorcycle rickshaws, wagons and cabs are the particular `targets` of wardens and in many cases, criminal cases are registered against them, Pasban Rickshaw Taxi Drivers` Union Secretary-General Mian Ijaz Husain said.

`Wardens have got registeredcases against the drivers under Section 16 of the MPO,` he said, adding that more than three dozen drivers were booked in the last two months.

He said wardens got bool(ed those drivers under the MPO who sought explanation for fine or challan.

He said traffic regulation, not a high ratio of challans, would serve the purpose. The union leader said wardens were haunting the vehicles only for cash collection to please their bosses.

He alleged it had been observed a number of times that wardens remained absent from their duty creating problems for the moto-rists.`When cash collection is the aim of duty, wardens` lethal weapon is ticketing motorists for minor violations.

Nazir Ahmed is one such ricle shaw driver who was intercepted by a warden in the middle of a road near the police lines.

Talking to Dawn, Ahmed said the highest fine amount was Rs1,000, however, wardens increased the fine by adding other charges.

Faisalabad has more than 800 wardens performing their jobs in two shifts.

Abid Ali, a truck driver, told Dawn other than fines, wardens also minted money from the driversof heavy vehicle.

He said wardens would often blackmail the drivers by showing them the challan book. After receiving bribe from them, wardens would allow the drivers to go.

A warden, requesting anonymity, said there were complaints that wardens were receiving bribe by leaving the registration number in challan book blank. He said after settlement with the driver, the warden would put in the registration number of a motorcycle and deposit a Rs200 fine.

He said newly-appointed Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Mohammad Masoom had suspended more than two dozen wardens from servicefor being absent from duty. He said the CTO had paid surprise visits to different circles to check wardens.

Besides, he said, a campaign had also been launched against the one-wheelers.

Traffic police spokesman Mohammad Ismail said wardens had been performing their duty according to the law. He said it was also a wrong perception that wardens remained absent from their assigned spots. He said district had a number of sectors being supervised by an inspector and a DSP.

About the alleged corruption of wardens, he said wardens were not allowed to deposit the fine of any violator.