High security registration plates scheme in cold storage

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) The government today said not a single state or Union Territory had so far implemented the high security registration plates for vehicles across the country, which are designed to make removal, tampering or counterfeiting of such plates difficult.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways K H Muniyappa said as per the last notification issued by the Central Government on January 13, 2005, the high security registration plates were to be used on newly registered motor vehicles throughout the country by May 31 that year.

In addition, such a scheme was to be made applicable to the already registered vehicles within a period of two years after May 31, 2005.

The introduction of new registration plates was envisaged following an amendement in 2001 of Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

''As per information available, none of the States and UTs has yet implemented the scheme,'' Mr Muniyappa said, adding that they were advised on several occasions, the latest being on November 25, 2005, to speed up the process of implementation.

Replying to another query, he said implementation of the provisions of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 is the responsibility of states and UTs. ''Hence, the question of any warning by the Central government or any penalty on the states for not heeding such a warning does not arise,'' he pointed out.

The Centre had earlier extended the deadline from January 1 to May 31 last year as the states had sought more time to identify vendors for supplying these plates.

He also informed that the cost of new high security registration plates would be known only after the competitive process of selection of vendors by the states and UTs was completed.

Insurance companies, in particular, have greatly resented the failure of the state governments and the UTs to meet the May 31, 2005 deadline, saying they are incurring huge losses in terms of huge payments to the affected customers.

As per industry estimates, nearly 50,000 vehicles worth over Rs 150 crore are stolen in the country every year. Only about 15,000 are traced, often in conditions unfit for plying.

The new number plate rules specify a chromium hologram and laser numbering containing an alpha-numeric identification, besides a third registration plate on the windshield.

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