By Debkumar Bhadra, Shore Point, Bambooflat, S Andaman
Implementation of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) for motor vehicles in India could be traced to the Hon’ble Supreme Court order wherein the Secretary, Transport and the Commissioner, State Transport Authority of the State of Haryana had been held guilty of willful disobedience/non-compliance of court orders particularly the orders dated 30th November 2004, 7th April 2011 and 30th August 2011. Having found guilty the court punished the erring officials to pay fines and in default, undergo simple imprisonment for 15 days; Exemplary cost was also imposed on the particular State. The apex court further set 31st March, 2012 as the deadline to implement the scheme, pan-India.
Consequently the RTO/Directorate of Transport, A&N Administration had drawn up a detailed schedule according to which fixing of HSRP started on 11th Jan and would be completed by 30th March ie., a day before actual expiry of the deadline set by the hon’ble apex court. A look at the schedule issued by RTO/Directorate of Transport, A&N Administration reveal that 10 days has been allotted for each of the series starting from G, F, E, D, C, B, A and AN, in that order for fixing HSRP. In practical sense this means, one has to approach the RTO/vendor during the stipulated date; neither before nor later, for affixing HSRP on their vehicle. It is for this reason, who-so-ever is able to fulfill the application formalities and remit the prescribed fee is seen rushing to ITF grounds to get HSRP fixed on their vehicle. Since missing the schedule would mean one has to forgo their turn and stand a chance to be confronted by the uniformed personnel on the road. Nobody therefore would like to hazard a miss.
This fast approaching deadline combined with un-necessary long procedure requiring repeated visits to RTO and the reported shabby arrangement at the HSRP venue; all these factors are causing inconvenience and unrest among the public. Right from the vehicle owner to HSRP worker, everybody is under stress and the reasons are valid. Here it is pertinent to mention “The Hindu” carried a news item (on Jan 22) wherein the first line of the news item mentions the existing vehicles will have to comply within two years that is by 31st March 2014. Such unambiguous notice gives a clear picture as to the time available with the vehicle owner to comply with the revised system. But in case of our islands, the schedule drawn up by RTO/Directorate of Transport is too short for the existing vehicle owners to comply. Consequently a number of vehicles could be seen plying with conventional number plates even after their turn to get HSRP affixed has elapsed. Being an islander problems are many and reasons for not able to comply with the schedule valid. But as of now, nothing is known as to the fate of such non-complainant vehicles, giving rise to speculations.
On one hand some of the vehicles got HSRP fixed well before their turn, on the other hand some of the public visiting the venue on the appointed date are turned down because the form submitted by them is reported missing or their names do not figure in the list. In one of the instance a particular name & registration number was available in the list, a day before the date mentioned in acknowledgement slip but he was denied HSRP and told to come a day later. When he returned on the said date, he was told his name was listed a day before; he being late by a day cannot be given HSRP. Some of the other public had to return without HSRP either because their plates could not be found or atleast one of the two HSRP could not be traced at that point of time. Such incidents reflect carelessness and inhuman attitude with which the system is being implemented. These are only a glimpse of what the public is made to face, despite payment made in advance.
The RTO therefore ought to immediately review implementation of the scheme and provide necessary support and advice so that HSRP fixing is done without causing much inconvenience. I suggest collection of prescribed fee along with application form so that vehicle owner need not visit RTO for the second time but proceed directly to the ITF ground on the scheduled date and time to get HSRP fixed. This will help ease the problem to a great extent.
Public is paying a hefty fee therefore deserve a decent service in return failing which the authorities are bound to be blamed. Shrugging off the blame on the vendor cannot absolve the authorities of their responsibilities. They must take all steps necessary to ensure that the public gets the service, they paid for.
