Traffic constables in Maharashtra have been empowered again to collect fines from law-breaking motorists and auto riders with effect from December 10 last year, the state government informed Bombay High Court today.

Earlier, constables were stripped of such powers and only head constables, numbering around 300 in the city, were empowered to collect fines from traffic offenders. However, in keeping with a High Court Court order of October 28, 2014, the government has now restored the powers of collecting fines to the constables, government pleader told the bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah.