People’s expectation of getting high security registration plate for their vehicles suffered a blow on Monday as the transport department issued a showcause letter to the firm that was entrusted with the task but did not take any measure to meet the deadline.
In the letter issued to Delhi-based DD Industries, the transport department sought an explanation why its contract should not be cancelled and the security deposit forfeited.
The letter from transport commissioner Rahul Singh addressed to DD Industries Limited business head Narendra Agarwal read: “As per Annexure II and IIA of the agreement, you have to set up at least six embossing stations by March 31, 2012 and all affixation stations latest by March 30, 2012. But till date, neither any action has been taken nor any action plan regarding setting up of embossing stations and affixation stations has been intimated by you…” It added: “In view of the above, I am directed to say that you are required to show cause within seven days as to why your contract not be terminated and performance guarantee of Rs 50 lakh forfeited.”
Barely five days from the March 31 deadline set by the transport department to start the process of fixing high security registration plates on all new vehicles in the state, transport officers in most districts said on Monday they had not received any communication from the firm that has been entrusted with the task. Patna district transport officer (DTO) Harihar Prasad told The Telegraph: “A video conference was held last week between some senior officers and the DTOs at the department headquarters in the state capital. The aim was to begin the high security registration plate installation work in the first stage.”
“We were told that embossing and affixation stations should be set up at DTO offices if there was space. But if there was a space crunch, we were asked to set up such stations in nearby areas and coordinate with the vendor. But the irony is that we never received any communication from the vendor,” he added.
Senior transport department officers said they would proceed according to the contract with DD Industries.
“March 31 has been finalised as the deadline for the firm. We have to wait till then. If it fails to meet the terms and conditions by then, we would take legal action according to the provisions of the contract. Moreover, the deadline set by the Supreme Court in this regard is June 15,” said R. K. Mahajan, secretary, state transport department.
On February 7, the Supreme Court had directed various states and union territories to launch the high security registration plate system by April 30 for new vehicles and June 15 for old vehicles.
Following this, the state transport department on February 15 signed a deal with DD Industries Limited for setting up the manufacturing system and issuing high security registration plates in the state.
According to the agreement, D.D. Industries is supposed to start fixing high security registration plates on all new vehicles from March 31, 2012.
Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Purnea, Saharsa, Chhapra, Munger and Darbhanga are supposed to get an high security registration plate embossing station each in the first phase of the programme. But no work had begun in any of the districts.
