“Till the time strategy of IGP Traffic is working efficiently and giving succour to commuters travelling on roads, advisories issued by higher ups against Basant Rath cannot move him or people’s support which he has won in less than a fortnight, he maintained.
Responding to a query on the advisory issued against Basant Rath, Bakshi said DGP should give free hand to IGP Traffic to ensure more drastic changes and deter road traffic defaulters. The whole Jammu is standing beside him as such officers are the need of the time, he maintained.
Expressing concern over the letter issued against IGP Traffic, he said the DGP should have encouraged the IGP Traffic who is working like a one man army and putting all out efforts to streamline traffic in Jammu city. “People of Jammu city are seen on roads obeying the traffic rules sincerely by using helmets on two-wheeler, seat belts in four-wheelers, etc. It is true that we have to follow the service rules but it is more important that if any officer doing his job seriously which is appreciated by one and all then he should be encouraged by his superiors to carry on with his dedicated services”, he said.
Shruti Gupta, a research scholar praised Basant Rath for his innovative ways to manage traffic on Jammu roads which lately has become a serious issue and a very difficult task for the district administration. “Soon after taking over the charge, Basant Rath interacted with the commuters and convinced scores of them about benefits of following traffic rules. Rath is becoming a role model for youth as well as for other officers”, he said.
Reacting over the warning letter issued against Rath, Gupta said rather than giving sermons to IGP Traffic, DGP should have asked other officers to follow his way of working to transform the image of police in public domain.
He also expressed resentment against DGP Dr SP Vaid for creating hurdles in the working of Basant Rath by issuing advisories. He asked DGP to let him work for some more months and then see the impact on Jammu roads.