Porvorim: Ferreira Slams Online Naming of Traffic Violators, Cites Privacy & Legal Flaws
Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira has voiced strong criticism against the transport department’s practice of publicly listing traffic violators’ names on a government portal. Speaking on Monday in Porvorim, Ferreira called the move an invasion of privacy and questioned its legality under Indian law.
Ferreira stated that the authorities must legally initiate prosecution within six months after they issue a traffic challan to a person. It is then completely unfair and illegal to keep showing that person as a defaulter on a public website,” he argued.
Non-Functional Portal and Faulty Challans Create Public Distress
Ferreira also raised concerns about the non-functionality of the transport department’s online fine payment portal. “People try to pay their fines online, but if the fine is old and has just been officially notified, the system doesn’t accept the payment,” he explained. “Only fresh fines go through. This technical issue has created massive queues in Panaji because citizens have no choice but to visit the office in person.”
Giving a specific example, Ferreira cited the case of a person who received a challan of ₹13,500 based on CCTV footage. The notice listed five to six violations but didn’t mention any clear time or date for each offence. “The contradictions between the listed violations show carelessness. When I inquired, an officer said the person should come to the office and if found innocent, they’ll cancel the rest of the violations. That’s completely unprofessional,” Ferreira said.
Privacy Concerns and Legal Accountability
Calling the public disclosure of names a “very serious concern,” Ferreira stressed that the transport department is breaching individual privacy rights. “Publishing someone’s name online before completing legal procedure is not just wrong—it’s a violation of their basic rights. The law is very clear. If it’s just a fine, you must take it to court within six months. If you don’t, you’ve lost the case,” he emphasized.
Ferreira said this issue affects public trust in the system. “When someone sees their name online as a violator months after the incident—without any legal case filed—they lose faith in the system. The department must take accountability for this delay, not punish the public.”
Concerns Over Basic Transport Infrastructure
Beyond digital issues, Ferreira also highlighted the poor state of transport facilities in Goa. “We don’t even have proper bus stops or signage at many bus stands,” he said. “This causes people to wait for hours without any idea when the next bus will come. The situation is not just inconvenient—it shows neglect.”
He concluded by urging the government to focus not just on penalties but also on better planning, transparency, and respect for privacy. “Technology should be used to make things easier for the public—not to harass them or expose their personal information without due process,” Ferreira said.
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