Bengaluru: The High Security Registration Plates (HSRP), a flagship project of The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has gone off the road, with allegations of corruption even before its implementation. It has become another challenge to the Congress government, which is also planning to probe the commission cut allegations of the previous BJP government.
A few days ago, the Bengaluru University PG and Research Students Association filed a detailed complaint regarding HSRP number plates with the state government and demanded a thorough probe into the allegations.
What is the allegation?
Lokesh Ram, president of the association, says that the prime reason why HSRP has been made mandatory is that the old number plates are quite easy to temper with and can be misused by car thieves. The HSRPs comprise details like engine number and chassis number in a centralised database. The data helps in identifying a stolen car. HSRP is an aluminium-made ‘high-security registration plate’ that is fixed to a vehicle using two non-reusable locks. A chromium-based hologram of Ashoka Chakra of 20 mm x 20 mm size is applied by hot stamping on the top left-hand corner of the plate in both front and rear plates to protect against counterfeiting. The permanent identification number (PIN) of a minimum of 10 digits is laser branded into the reflective sheeting on the bottom left-hand side of the registration plate with a letter size of 5 mm. The HSRP is linked electronically to the vehicle after its affixture to the vehicle on registration.
Though it is a flagship project of the central government, it is going down the wrong road in Karnataka. The association alleges that, according to experts, rules made in Karnataka violate the norms stipulated by the MoRTH. It is prepared by the transport department in Karnataka, and if implemented, close to 20,000 families will take a hit and lose their livelihoods.
Lokesh Ram explained that MoRTH has given permission to close to 20 companies to install HSRP number plates on existing and new vehicles in the country. However, in order to create a monopoly, only four firms in Karnataka are likely to get permission to install HSRP number plates. “By selecting only four firms and keeping out other players, it has proved that there is a good scope for corruption by creating a monopoly,” alleged Lokeshram.
The installation of the HSRP number in all vehicles is mandatory, and the platform is said to be ready by the transport department to enable vehicle manufacturers or dealers to fulfill it. The reality is that HSRP is not manufactured by the vehicle manufacturers, but has to be sourced from other manufacturers and fitted to the vehicles. The reality is that out of the 20 HSRP manufacturers in the list of the central government, the secret pact has given permission to only four to five firms, which is owned by one person. Lokesh Ram expressed concern in his complaint that the purpose of the entire project may go astray due to the alleged bribery involvement of officials and influential persons, as they are not following any transparent process in this.
How scam works?
There is no confusion if the HSRP number plate is installed on a brand new vehicle rolling out of the showroom. The scam works with old vehicles, it is estimated that country has close to 30 crore old vehicles, out of which Karnataka has 2 crore. All these vehicles in Karnataka needs to be fitted with HSRP number plates and the cost for each vehicles is between Rs 400 to Rs 950. There is profit margin of atleast 50% in each HSRP number plate. “If given to few hands, it is estimated that profit would run into Rs 500 crores. Therefore, there is bigger lobby to bag the contracts involving officials and influentials,” alleged Lokesh Ram, adding this will create monopolies and give birth to a mafia. “The worst to be affected are vehicle owners and those involved in making number plates in the state. Currently, there are about 20,000 individuals who depend on this industry. By awarding contracts to few, this will snatch away their livelihood and push them to streets.”