May 15th, 2008 
krishna Punjab police has started charging “facilitation Charges” from the people is a hash over step, which has no place in a welfare state. Almost a year ago, when SAD-BJP government came into being, the police top brass introduced quietly the charge. This was called back when media reported about the same and a lawyer moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the charges.
The proposed list of the charges for services provided is long: People will have to pay Rs 100.00 for verification of Passport, no- objection certified copies for stolen or recovered vehicles, registration of vehicles, and to provide certified copies of documents. The charge for issuing a cop of an FIR is Rs 50. For character certificate verification, permission for exhibitions and fairs, verification of strangers, tenants and servants, renewal and “other services” the charges are Rs 200 each. Verification of arms license will cost Rs. 500. The proposed cost of getting a NOC from police for petrol pump, marriage palace or a hotel is Rs 1000.
This concept of police charging money for service provided is borrowed from outside India as there are some countries where “user charges” are charged by police for services provided. The New South Wales, for example has a system of cost recovery, but only in case of police services at special events, transport escorts, control of traffic for films shoots etc. However, the other services are provided free of charge to the common public.
The same concept proposed to be applied in Punjab has no basis. For example, the police charging Rs 50 for a copy of FIR is all rubbish as it is something that is intrinsic to their basic job. Likewise police providing NOC for marriage palaces, hotels and petrol pumps makes no sense. The question here is what role police has to play in this? Had it been a certificate form municipal authorities, town planning officials or even the pollution official, it is still understandable.
This ritual of police collecting facilitation charges is also fraught with danger because of corruption having seeped down the rank and file. The policing by the community has a long history in this country, for example thikri pehras in villages. For years in order to certify a copy of document we either paid the requisite fee to notary (who incidentally is legally qualified). If we have to pay the police for the same then where is the word public service?
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