MUZAFFARABAD, May 5: Introduction of traffic ticketing system in Azad Kashmir in August 2001 is adding hundreds of thousands of rupees to the state exchequer every month, most of which was earlier going into the pockets of the corrupt policemen and court employees, an official said on Sunday.

Traffic Ticketing Central Monitoring Cell In-Charge Raja Ghulam Sarwar told Dawn that the system had mitigated to a great extent corruption by the traffic police personnel as it provided cash rewards for them, equivalent to 15 per cent of the fine.

He said 3,669 drivers were penalized and fined Rs847,741 in April. Of the fine, five per cent each would be given to traffic officers and staff, while five per cent would go to police welfare fund, he said.

Mr Sarwar, who is special branch SP, said the revenue generated in one month after the introduction of ticketing system was more than what would earlier be generated in six months.

The income from August to March was 5.659 million, 15 per cent of which had been distributed among the staff concerned and the welfare fund, he said.