The demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes forced Delhi Traffic Police to issue court challans instead of on the spot cash penalties for traffic violations even as the PCR unit grappled with complaints of non-acceptance of the withdrawn bank notes.
People, who were challaned, haggled with traffic police personnel posted at various traffic points and expressed their inability to pay the challan.
"We have asked our cops to issue court challans for offences where the challan amount is more than Rs 100. The Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes have been withdrawn and we can't accept them," said a senior traffic police officer.
However, traffic police officers on ground said many people told them, "Aap toh sarkar ke neeche aate ho. Aap kaise nahi accept kar raheIJ (You come under the Government. Why aren't you accepting cashIJ)"
There were many cops who had people telling them, "Arre, police ka toh kaam hi hai janta ki seva karna. Aur aap janta ko pareshaan kar rahe hain (It's the job of police to serve people but you are troubling people)"
Traffic police officers said compared to other days, they observed less traffic on the roads as markets like lajpat Nagar, Karol Bagh, Connaught Place saw less number of shoppers.
Security was also stepped up in the 11 districts around petrol pumps, places offering gold loans, in order to ensure that refusal to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes doesn't translate into major arguments.
"We have been getting calls about quarrels arising over non-acceptance of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. In order to ensure that things don't get out of hand security has been tightened around petrol pumps," said a senior officer from southeast district.
A senior officer from west district said, "We have asked petrol pumps and other places like banks, places offering gold loans to ensure that CCTV cameras are installed in the premises. Police presence has been increased in the district."
The PCR vans have been regularly patrolling the areas near petrol pumps so that in case of an emergency, they can quickly provide assistance.
A senior officer from the operation unit of Delhi Police said, "Since we are the first responders, we started getting calls from 8.30 pm last night from people complaining that shopkeepers are asking them to buy things worth Rs 500 or Rs 1,000. Some also complained that their Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes weren't being accepted."
"There were others who complained that petrol pumps were asking them to get petrol worth Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 and were not tendering change. We made both the parties understand the situation. We must have got close to 400 complaint calls regarding these issues," he added.