PANAJI: The long-pending high security registration plates (HSRPs), are all set to make an entry into Goa in the coming week. The move will make the state the third in the country, after Meghalaya and Sikkim, to introduce these plates touted as an antidote to vehicle-related crimes.
With seven security features, these smart number plates are expected to help track down stolen vehicles, prevent their misuse and even quickly hunt down culprits in hit-and-run cases. They are also expected to help increase state revenue by preventing tax evasion at the time of registration and transfer during re-sale, and by bringing the hitherto unorganized sector of licence plate painters etc under the organised sector. The state government has awarded the HSRP contract to Shimnit Utsch India Pvt Ltd.
Sources told TOI that all existing vehicles would be given up to two year’s from the time of HSRP’s implementation to upgrade their licence plates. The procedure will include approaching the RTO for an application form and paying the charges at a cash collection point within the RTO premises itself. The complete HSRP set is expected to cost Rs 550 for two-wheelers and Rs 1,200 for light motor vehicles. The figure excludes VAT and other taxes.
The seven security features of the smart number plates include: a hot-stamped chromium-based hologram, which will prevent counterfeiting; an ingressed IND legend, for national identity and standardization; a laser-etched nine digit code, which will act as a watermark, cannot be erased and will aid in sequential identification of individual licence plates across the country; and a security inscript, which will be visible on the alpha numerals and border, helping to prevent painting or screen-printing and protecting against counterfeiting.
Also included are a snap lock fitted on the rear licence plate of the vehicle, which will be self-destructive in nature and tamper proof, also providing immediate and distinguishable identification; a superior grade reflective sheeting (white for non-commercial and yellow for commercial vehicles) which will be visible from a minimum of 200 m and its enhanced visibility will prevent accidents during night time or at times of low visibility; and embossed alpha-numerals and borders for enhanced readability and easy identification.
Pending since the state issued a letter of intent in 2005, the implementation of HSRP was first challenged before the high court of Bombay at Goa where the plea was dismissed and subsequently in the Supreme Court where the plea met the same fate.
Apart from curbing vehicle-related crimes, the number plates will help to create a database of vehicular population and an easy and easily accessible data management system. HSRPs will also create a secondary cross validation process assisting in documentation of key-related fields such as chassis number, engine number and registration number.
Besides helping to regulate the transfer of vehicle ownership, the HSRPs will increase state revenues through multiple vehicle registration on a single number and will help prevent tax evasion by monitoring the registration and transfer during re-sale. The licence plates will also provide additional revenue to the state by way of payment of royalty, sales tax and VAT.
For the public, the HSRP will lead to safety of their vehicles. There will be improved chances of recovery, reduction of expenses on anti-theft devices, clamping down faster on hit-and-run cases, reduction of insurance premiums and increased night-time visibility by 200 m due to reflective lighting.
Sources said that vehicles coming into Goa from other states where HSRP has not been implemented, would face no problem with enforcement authorities, but those plying in Goa with out-of-state registrations would have to be converted to Goa registration or would have to upgrade in their previous states as and when HSRP is implemented there.