For denying to affix a high-security registration plate (HSRP) on a car, SAS-Nagar based Agresimpex (I) Private Limited has been asked to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation for deficient services and unfair trade practice.
According to Supreme Court directives, installation of HSRP is mandatory, so Tejinder Singh Sidhu, a resident of Phase 7 in SAS Nagar, applied for an HSRP after he bought a car in May 2013.
Sidhu said Agresimpex (I) private limited, an authorised company of the government of Punjab acting through transport department to install HSRP, refused to affix the plates, forcing him to move consumer forum. However, justifying refusal of installing the plates, the company submitted that, "According to rules, Sidhu was asked to submit the old number plate, which was necessary as per the agreement between the company and Punjab government for affixation of HSRP on any vehicle. But, he refused, therefore, non affixation of the HSRP on his vehicle in no manner amounts to deficiency of service on their part."
District consumer disputes redressal forum, SAS Nagar, presided over by Madhu P Singh, in its order dated February 6, held, "The condition of retention of old number plate before fixing HSRP is applicable to the existing registered vehicles and not the new vehicles. Since there is no old number plate and it is only the temporary registration number plate which was affixed on his vehicle upon delivery, therefore, the question of old registration number plate and its retention or submission does not arise. The company has illegally levied such condition."
{{/usCountry}}District consumer disputes redressal forum, SAS Nagar, presided over by Madhu P Singh, in its order dated February 6, held, "The condition of retention of old number plate before fixing HSRP is applicable to the existing registered vehicles and not the new vehicles. Since there is no old number plate and it is only the temporary registration number plate which was affixed on his vehicle upon delivery, therefore, the question of old registration number plate and its retention or submission does not arise. The company has illegally levied such condition."
{{/usCountry}}"Therefore, non affixation of the HSRP on the vehicle of the complainant illegally amounts to deficiency of service and unfair trade practice on the part of Agresimpex (I) private limited," read the order directing the company to install the HSRP plate within a week.