The fitting of the High Security Registration
Plates (HSRP) has started across Goa and within a month it is already in the
eye of the storm. The need of basic infrastructure for the ease of people has
been a consistent demand. However, now the people have began asking what is the
security in the number plate? Perhaps, the hurried enforcement of the new Motor
Vehicle Rules without creating awareness and divulging the information to the
people has resulted in questions being asked against the rules, which are for
the betterment of people. For now the schedule of fitment that was advertised
has now almost been diluted.
The HSRP number plates mandate for vehicles in
India has been there since 2014. Earlier when Sudin Dhavalikar was the
Transport Minister, the compliance of these rules through fitment of HSRP had
begun. However, it stopped as the same was challenged in the courts on the
grounds of it being a scam. Schmidt Utsch was empanelled for the HSRP job back
in 2008-09.
Not, just Goa but the HSRP was being flayed and
criticised across the country, Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal and other states.
A lot has happened after that.
The Central Motor Vehicle Act too has been
amended on numerous occasions. Amendments and strict implementation of the
rules have been however seen in the recent central Governments regime and HSRP
has been a part of it.
Now, the rule 50 of Central Motor Vehicles
Rules, 1989 provides for display of registration marks on the motor vehicles in
the form of security licence plate of the prescribed specifications.
Implementation of the provisions of the aforesaid rule comes within the
jurisdiction of State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry
of Road Transport & Highways has started the work of installation of High
Security Registration Plates (HSRP) on motor vehicles in Goa. Implementation of
the HSRP scheme is in various stages of implementation in a number of other
States/Union Territories.
What is being observed in Goa as far as the
fitment process is concerned, is that there has been a complaints against the
State government as well as the contractor, Real Mazon India Limited, about the
failure to create people friendly infrastructure for the process to be
completed. At the Road Transport Office (RTO) Margao office, citizens have been
forced to stand in the hot sun in a queue for hours. There is absence of
drinking water facility as well as separate queues for women and senior
citizens. In addition to huge amount of vehicles, the holidays in last 2 months
have further delayed the process. Some of the officials of the RTO said that
while they were asked to cite a space for this work, all they were told is to
give tables and chairs and nothing else. "The contractor and his
management, supervision staff haven't picked our calls ever since they started
fitment work" said an official.
South Goa now has GA 06, which is Vasco, GA 08
Margao, GA 09 Quepem, GA 10 Canacona and GA 11 Dharbandoda. While Canacona
Dharbandora and Vasco to some extent may not be a problem, the South Goa
headquarters at Margao has a large number of registered vehicles. To add to the
problems the people from Quepem too have been summoned to Margao due to absence
of space there. On this point, one of the officials of Real Mazon India
Limited, said "We have asked for a space at Quepem and also in Bicholim
for erecting necessary infrastructure for the fitment of the number plates.
However, the proposal is pending with the Government.”
When asked about the basic facilities for the
public, the official said that the RTO office needs to provide the same to them
as it is not there in the scope of the tender.
While the work of fitment has stopped at Margao
following orders from the South Goa Collector’s office in view of the number of
complaints, the contractor has put the ball in the court of the government for
provision of infrastructure to the work. "We want a home delivery of
plates, we want to get HSRP at dealer point for which we are waiting for
Government approval" said the representative.
The RTO has asked the contractor to increase the
number of counters at Margao. But now the people are asking what the security
is being provided by HSRP.
"They say you can't replicate the plates
when the country has faced duplication of currency notes. It is hard to
believe. While there has been trust issues with the work of the contractor,
some videos of the rear number plate of a two-wheeler being fitted with screws
instead of mandatory snap lock also surfaced on social media. The representatives
of the contractor have disowned the incident but it has created apprehensions
among the people,” said a vehicle owner.
The Congress Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco has said
that the government needs to come out clear on what security does the HSRP
number plates have. "HSRP has been brought without proper study. They are
wasting time and money of Goans" said Reginaldo.
Meanwhile Fatorda MLA and former deputy Chief Minister, Vijai
Sardesai has called this a scam and anarchy of government to force on to people
the HSRP compulsion.
Margao MLA and Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat, said he was
happy that the transport department, took cognisance of his complaints and
issued a show-cause notice to the contractor and has pointed out that a lot
more needs to be done, such as increasing the number of counters etc, online
appointments, a centre at Quepem etc, to make it easier and quicker for the
commuters.
The Margao operations of the HSRP have been suspended till
further notice and messages are being sent to all the vehicle owners of Margao
and Quepem. The Contractor has decided to reduce the appointments in Margao to
100 per day which is 50 Margao and 50 Quepem when the fitment will start back
again.
Meanwhile, a complaint has been filed at the RTO by Navelim
resident Arvind Tengse alleging improper HSRP plates fitting to vehicles in Goa
and has alleged various technical deficiencies by the contractor in fitment of
the plates. He has demanded that the work order of the contractor be revoked
within 7 days of his complaint. He has also warned of filing Public Interest Litigation
(PIL) against the authorities concerned.
Security features of HSRP:
(i) Chromium based hot-stamped hologram with Chakra image protects against
counterfeiting.
(ii) A retro-reflective film, bearing a verification inscription ‘India’ at 45
degree inclination.
(iii) The permanent identification number of minimum 7 digits to be laser
branded into the reflective sheeting on the bottom-hand side of the
registration plate, which is unique in nature, preceded by alpha-numeric
identification of both the vendor or manufacturer or supplier, as the case may
be and the concerned testing agencies.
(iv) Embossing of the registration numbers on the plates. This helps to make
out the number of the vehicle at acute angles of view through camera or naked
eyes.
(v) Ingressed “IND” legend in retro reflective film.
(vi) Tamper proof non-removable/non-reusable snap locks system to fit the rear
registration plate for the sake of better security.
(vii) Third License Plate in the form of self-destructive sticker, containing
the details-(i) name of registering authority, (ii) registration number, (iii)
laser branded permanent identification number, (iv) engine number and (v)
chassis number, to be put on the windshield of four wheelers.
Further, para 4 (xiii) of the Motor Vehicles (New High Security Registration
Plates) Order, 2001 requires maintenance of a proper record of the registration
plates issued by the manufacturer or vendor, authorized by the State Government
on a daily basis, which is to be tallied periodically with the records of the
Transport Office.
Benefits
according to the Govt:
- to maintain road safety
- to identify theft of vehicle
- to reduce the crime and terrorism
- to identify the vehicle is original or not
- to control the speed limitations