The state transport department has issued a legal notice to Agro Impex (I) Private Limited claiming violation of contract terms.

The department has accused the firm of missing the deadline (May 2) for setting up affixation and embossing stations for starting the supply and installation of high security registration plates (HSRP).

According to sources, the transport department is likely to cancel the contract and forfeit the security deposit of the firm. It will also file an affidavit in the Supreme Court seeking extension in the implementation of HSRP system in the state.

State transport principal secretary R.K. Mahajan told The Telegraph on Friday: “Agro Impex has apparently not set up any infrastructure for starting the process of supply and installation of HSRP in the state and thus the department has issued a legal notice against it on charges of failure in meeting the deadline stipulated in the contract. Depending upon the reply from the firm and the contract terms, we may initiate legal action against the company. Moreover, the department may file an affidavit in the Supreme Court to seek extension for the implementation of this process in the state.”

The state transport department, on September 21, 2011, issued tenders for inviting bids from interested manufactures for establishing infrastructure to manufacture and provide/fix HSRP to all the vehicles in the state. Later, it entered into an agreement with Delhi based-DD Industries Private Limited for commencing the process by March 31, 2012. However, the firm failed to comply with the stipulated deadline and hence the contract was cancelled and later another agreement was signed on April 11 with Agro Impex. The fi- rm was supposed to set up affixation stations in Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga and Bhagalpur and one embossing station in Gaya for 10 districts by May 2.

However, none of the district transport officers (DTOs) concerned have reported any progress till date. “Though we have shown a site near Zero Mile at old Bypass Road for setting up the affixation station for Patna to the representatives of the selected firm, we are not aware of any progress made in this regard till date,” said Rajesh Chaudhary, the Patna DTO.

Gaya DTO Surendra Jha told The Telegraph on Friday: “Neither any representatives of Agro Impex have contacted us nor any progress has been made in setting up the embossing and affixation stations in Gaya. Subsequently, we have sent a corresponding communication to the transport department that no progress with regard to supply and installation of HSRP has been observed in Gaya district.”