A month past deadline, half the vehicles in Sikkim affixed with HSRPs

GANGTOK, 08 June: It has been a month and ten days since the extended deadline for fixing all vehicles in the State with High Security Registration Plates [HSRP] passed on 06 June. However, out of the 42,823 vehicles [government and private] registered in Sikkim, only 27,631 vehicles have been fitted with High Security Registration Plates [HSRP]. This was confirmed by N Sharma [MVI, Tech, HQ and spokesperson of the MV Division of Transport Department], while speaking to NOW! today.
The Motor Vehicle Division [MVD] had started the drive of fitting High Security Registration Plates [HSRP] in Sikkim in the year 2008, he added.
In the East District a total of 19,457 vehicles have been fitted with HSRPs, in the West District 2,272, in the North 1,866 and in the South 4,036 vehicles in all have affixed HSRPs, he informed and added that the target of the department was 100%, but there were some vehicles plying without HSRPs. Officials are collecting fines on the spot and defaulters who have still not affixed their vehicles with HSRPs are being booked, he stated.
It may be mentioned here that the Supreme Court of India had on 08 December, 2011 issued an order to the State Government to ensure the entire implementation of the HSRP scheme by 31 March, 2012 with a clear instruction that no further time would be granted. Following this, the State Transport Department has also issued a notice directing all vehicles in the State to affix HSRPs within the stipulated time of 31 March, 2012, failing which vehicles without HSRPs would not be allowed to ply within the State.
The Government of India had granted another month as extension to ensure the entire implementation of the HSRP scheme in Sikkim, so the deadline was shifted to 30 April, 2012, from 31 March, 2012.
Meanwhile, the Secretary, State Transport Authority, TT Sherpa informed that almost all vehicles registered and plying in the State had been covered with High Security Registration Plates [HSRP], but there are many vehilces which are off the roads, where people are just coming to the department to update their documents and do not own vehicles as such, while many others [private and taxis] are plying in other states but their documents and number plates have been registered in Sikkim, some of these he said are still to affix the HSRPs.
The department has urged people to fit their vehicles with HSRP as soon as possible to avoid compounding and fines by the department and has also warned against the use of ‘made’ or duplicate HSRP number plates as this is illegal and would be a contempt of court and if any one is found doing so by the department then they will be charged and fined, it was further informed.

Apex Court sets final deadline for HSRP coverage

GANGTOK, 15 April: The Supreme Court of India has directed that all states fully implement the scheme of fixing High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) by 30 April, 2012. The State government here is also comply with this order. Earlier, the State government had submitted to the apex court that the HSRP scheme would be completed by 31 March and had also been reported by this paper. However, all vehicles in the state could not be covered and the therefore the time limit has been extended by the Supreme Court.
“All states, therefore, are mandated to fully implement the scheme of fixation of HSRP in their entire state, positively by 30th April, 2012, in relation to new vehicles and 15th June, 2012 for old vehicles,” the Supreme Court order directs.
While extending the time limit, the apex court has made clear that no further extension shall be allowed and added that the directions of the Supreme Court are to be implemented without default. The apex court further ruled that in the event of default, the concerned Secretary (Transport) /Commissioner, State Transport Authority and/or any other person or authority responsible for such default “shall be liable to be proceeded against under the provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.”
The cost of fixing HSRPs in Sikkim, as has often been complained by vehicle owners, is much higher compared to other states. Here, it costs a little over Rs. 2,000 [for 4-wheelers] while in other states the cost is less than half this amount. In this context, it may also be highlighted here that the Supreme Court, had in 2010, dismissed appeals by foreign multinational backed Indian firms - Shmnit Utsch India Private Ltd and Tonnjes Eastern Security Technologies Pvt Ltd (the firm which bagged the contract in Sikkim as well)- claiming that state governments had no right to change the conditions laid down in the Central law proposed notice inviting tenders for HSRPs. Indian HSRP manufacturers had protested against the experience and certain minimum turnover clauses attached to the NITs and alleged that this was tailor-made for foreign multinationals to bag the contracts for supply of HSRPs.
West Bengal and Orissa had effected changes in the NITs, doing away with the clause requiring previous experience in manufacturing of HSRPs to qualify for submitting tenders. The changes were challenged unsuccessfully by Shhimnit and Tonnjes in the Calcutta and Orissa High Courts respectively. Both had moved the apex court against the decisions of the High Courts, and lost there as well.

HSRP conversion deadline extended by a month

LAST DATE IS NOW 30 APRIL 2012
GANGTOK, 26 March: The State Transport Department has now been given an extension of one more month by the Government of India to complete the process of affixing all vehicles in the State with High Security Registration Plates [HSRP]. Against the earlier deadline of 31 March 2012, the final deadline as of now for vehicle owners in the State to acquire the HSRP is now 30 April 2012.
“We were informed a few days back by our Department officials that the Government of India has granted another month as extension to complete the implementation of HSRP scheme in Sikkim. So the new last date has been shifted to 30 April, instead of the old one of 31 March, 2012,” informed TT Sherpa, Secretary, State Transport Authority, while speaking to NOW! today.
The Supreme Court of India had, on 08 December, 2011, issued an order to the State Government to complete implementation of the HSRP scheme by 31 March, 2012 with a clear instruction that no further time shall be granted, acting on which the State Transport Department had also issued a notice directing that all vehicles in the State affix HSRPs within this time. Vehicles without HSRPs would not be allowed to ply on Sikkim roads beyond this deadline, the original notification had stated. This now stands shifted back another.
“Now, with the extension at hand, we should be able to finish affixing all vehicles in the State with HSRPs,” he said, informing further that as on 19 March, 2012 out of the 42,823 vehicles [government and private] registered in the State, 22,968 had been affixed with the HSRPs. The Motor Vehicle Department had started the drive of fitting High Security Registration Plates [HSRP] in Sikkim in the year 2008.
The Transport Department has directed all vehicle owners, who have not yet affixed the HSRPs to report to the concerned RTO office in Gangtok and in the districts for affixing of the HSRPs. Even mobile checks are being conducted all over the State by Motor Vehicle Inspectors [MVIs] on a regular basis so that vehicles without HSRPs are informed to get their vehicles affixed with HSRPs as soon as possible. Even the taxi and vehicle counters are being similarly briefed.
“We should be able to do the affixing in time as there are many vehilces which are off the roads, where people are just coming to the department to update their documents, but do not actually own vehicles at present, while many others [private and taxis] are plying in other states but their documents and number plates have been registered in Sikkim,” the STA Secretary further informed.
“The vehicles which have not yet affixed HSRPs, their documents such as token tax and renewal fees are not being updated by the department, and when this happens, if the documents fail the drivers or owners of the said vehicles have to pay fines, which in some cases can be double the amount, so now because of this drive by the department, people are coming and getting their number plates changed with HSRPs,” informed Senior Regional Transport Officer, PK Basnett.
The contract for affixing HSRPs was awarded to M/s Tonnjes Eastern Security Pvt Ltd of New Delhi and charges for Light Motor Vehicles [LMV] and Heavy Motor Vehicles [HMV] HSRP plates is Rs. 2,048, while for Two Wheelers it is Rs. 871 per plate, as this was the rate quoted by the company in the quotation during the tender, the prices cannot be reduced and thus is being implemented.
The HSRP number plate is \unique as the back number plate contains name of State, districtwise code, category of vehicle, snap lock [so that the number plate once fixed cannot be tampered with], rainbow effect hologram, bar code and a Unique Identification [UID] number [not replaceable], while the front number plate just had the number and the UID number [one vehicle has two UID numbers].
The Districtwise Code breakup for the HSRP is East-1, West-2, North-3 and South-4, while the category breakup is for private vehicles-P, for government vehicles-G, for taxi’s-T, for jeeps-J, for heavy vehicles [trucks and buses]-D, for luxury vehicles-Z and for government buses-B.
Further, the department has urged the people to fit their vehicles with HSRP as soon as possible to avoid compounding and fines by the department and also warn to avoid using ‘made’ or duplicate HSRP number plates as this is illegal and would be a contempt of court and if any one is found doing so by the department then they will be charged and fined.

[AMEET OBEROI]

Transport Deptt notifies HSRP deadline for vehicle owners

FOLLOWING APEX COURT ORDERS, VEHICLES WITHOUT HSRPs WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLY ON SIKKIM ROADS AFTER 31 MARCH 2012

AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 19 Jan: The Supreme Court of India had on 08 December, 2011 issued an order to the State Government to ensure the complete implementation of the High Security Registration Plates scheme by 31 March, 2012 with a clear instruction that no further time would be granted [read NOW issue dated 19 Jan 2011]. Acting on this directive, the Transport Department issued a notice [dated 18 January 2012] directing that all vehicles in the State affix HSRPs. The notice further adds that vehicles which do not affix the HSRPs within the stipulated time of 31 March, 2012 will not be allowed to ply within the State, informed the Secretary, State Transport Authority, TT Sherpa, while speaking to NOW! today.
The Transport Department has directed all vehicle owners who have not yet affixed the HSRPs to report to the concerned RTO office in Gangtok and in the districts to affix the HSRPs and this notice has been issued for all concerned, the Secretary added.
Out of the 47,000 vehicles [government and private] registered in Sikkim, only 18,000 vehicles have been fitted with High Security Registration Plates thus far. The Motor Vehicles Division [MVD] had started the drive of fitting HSRPs in the year 2008. Now, with little over two months at hand, the Division will have to complete three-times the work it has achieved in three years.
The contract to provide HSRPs was issued to Tonnjes Eastern Security Pvt Ltd of New Delhi and charges for Light Motor Vehicles [LMV] and Heavy Motor Vehicles [HMV] HSRP plate fixed at Rs. 2,048, while for Two Wheelers it is Rs. 871, the Secretary informs, adding that since this was the rate quoted in the selected tender, this would be the price.
The HSRP number plate is unique as the back number plate contains name of State, districtwise code, category of vehicle, snap lock [so that the number plate once fixed cannot be tampered with], rainbow effect hologram, bar code and a Unique Identification [UID] number [not replaceable], while the front number plate has just the number and the UID number.
The Districtwise Code breakup for the HSRP is East-1, West-2, North-3 and South-4, while the category breakup is P for private vehicles, for government vehicles-G, for taxis-T, for jeeps-J, for heavy vehicles [trucks and buses]-D, for luxury vehicles-Z and for government buses-B.
Further, the department has urged vehicle owners to fit their vehicles with HSRPs as soon as possible to avoid compounding and fines and has also warned against using duplicate HSRP number plates as this is illegal and would now tantamount to contempt of court.

Transport officials and JAC of driver asscs meet to discuss fares and HSRP price

GANGTOK, 09 Dec: A meeting was held between the Transport Department represented by its Minister, TT Bhutia, Secretary, Tsegyal Tashi, officials of the Department and representatives of the Joint Action Committee [JAC] of various drivers associations of the capital yesterday to discuss issues and problems faced by the drivers and also to discuss the high prices of High Security Registration Plates [HSRP] and hike in taxi fares.

Low numbers drive up HSRP price in Sikkim, MV officials explain

GANGTOK, 05 Dec: There have been numerous complaints over the High Security Registration Plates being too expensive in Sikkim. HSRP is a new regulation which has to be universally complied with all vehicle owners in Sikkim as well as in the country eventually. There was even a petition filed in the High Court of Sikkim challenging the high pricing.

HSRP deadline pushed back to 31 May

GANGTOK: The Motor Vehicles Division of the Transport Department has extended the deadline for vehicle owners to affix High Security Registration Plates (HSRP). They are now required to do so by 31 May 2011.
The Department, through Notification No. 151/MV/T dated 31 March, has requested all vehicles owners/ Government vehicles to affix the HRSP “positively” by 31 May 2011.
The Notification reads, “No registration documents will be issued to new vehicles unless fitted with HSRP. In case of already registered vehicles the renewal of tax will be entertained on affixation of HSRP only. All vehicle owners are requested to cooperate with the Motor Vehicle Division, Transport Department to avoid contempt of the Hon’ble Supreme Court order failing which Motor Vehicle Division, Transport Department will be compelled to seek the assistance of Police for its effective implementation.”

HSRP deadline to be extended

GANGTOK, 22 March: The Motor Vehicles Division of the Transport Department has decided to relax the deadline issued to vehicle owners to affix High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) in the State.
The Department, through a Notification No. 140/MV/T dated 17 January 2011 had directed that all commercial vehicles, motor/ maxi cabs and goods carriers be fitted with HSRP by 31 January 2011.
Speaking to NOW! today, Secretary, State Transport Authority, TT Sherpa, said, “The Department has decided to extend the notification’s tenure by another two or three months, and this notification will be released soon.”