Punjab based NGO, Raahat Safety Foundation on Friday demanded a CBI probe into the allocation of contract to a consortium of companies, which not only diluted the standards and security features while fixing the High Security Registration Plates on vehicles, but has caused a loss of nearly Rs 40 crore to the people.
The foundation’s president, Kamaljeet Soi, who is an international expert on road safety and adviser to the Asian Development Bank as well as UK’s Transport Research Laboratory, drew out various shortcomings in the procedures of manufacturing and fixing of HSRP. The fixing of plates was supposed to be implemented as per specifications of the Union ministry of Road Transport and Highways guided by the orders of the Supreme Court.
Mr Soi explained that the Punjab government which was forced to cancel the contract following complaints, had conceded that the controversial plates had been fixed on over 13 lakh vehicles across the State, by the consortium comprising M/s Agros Impex, Frost International and Dubai based Trinity Engineering Services. While the State government has decided to forfeit the Rs one crore bank guarantee and black list the companies, but no criminal legal proceedings were initiated to recover the remainder Rs 40 crore.
Mr Soi pointed out that the HSRP being fixed on vehicles did not have the mandatory snap locks, which negated the spirit behind the entire exercise to secure the car from theft and changing number plates. The embossing and fixing of the plates was done at different places, which again violated the basic security concerns. Also there were gross shortcomings in embossing the unique eight digit security code. The reports from the District Transport Officers with the State government have also indicated that the consortium overcharged heavily from the vulnerable public.
The HSRP, which were neither valid nor appropriate as they lacked the necessary security features, the State government should initiate proceedings against the directors of the companies for breaching the security of the Nation as well as betraying the trust of the people. While the capital equipment and other assets of these companies should be seized, the State government should arrange for replacing the faulty plates. Mr Soi reminded that need for HSRP was felt after terrorists had changed the number plates of stolen cars that were used in bomb attacks to assassinate Chief Minister, Beant Singh as well as in the two attempts on the life of senior leader, Maninderjit Singh Bitta.
