Now pay traffic fines in Kerala at IT centres

Thiruvananthapuram, June 19 : Traffic violators in Kerala will soon be able to pay their fines at more than 2,600 IT centres located across the state instead of visiting a police station.

Korath V.Mathew, who heads the state-run Akshaya IT project, told IANS that this would become a reality very soon.

"Today various bills can be paid by people at these centres and once the project for paying fines imposed by police for traffic offences is ready, it would be certainly be welcomed by the people. The software for this is being prepared and very soon this service would be available," said Mathew.

"Once in place, one who has to pay a fine need not visit any police station. Instead, walk into your nearest Akshaya centre and pay the fine and walk out," said Mathew, a retired army officer who recently took charge of Akshaya.

Akshaya, launched by then president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Nov 18, 2002, is aimed at bridging the digital divide and to addresses the issues of information and communication technology (ICT) access and teaching basic skills. It intended to make at least one member in every family IT literate, through the local Akshaya centre, which offers a few hours of IT education.

Beginning in the state's Malappuram district, the Akshaya centres have spread all over the 14 districts of the state.