Fancy car number ‘freeze’ not for VIPs

The transport department has not been entertaining requests from ordinary people for fancy car registration numbers, but the high and mighty in the political corridors of Delhi continue to enjoy the privilege.

The transport department has not been entertaining requests from ordinary people for fancy car registration numbers, but the high and mighty in the political corridors of Delhi continue to enjoy the privilege. Last month, Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna had directed the transport department to invite objections from the public before enforcing the policy to allot fancy numbers to ministers, bureaucrats, parliamentarians and judges, while auctioning them to the ordinary citizens at a premium price.

HT Image

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/Popup/2012/10/20_10_12-metro4b.jpg

Objections are still pouring in to the transport department’s offices and there is an apparent “freeze” on the allotment of such numbers. However, 42 fancy numbers were issued in the past two months. Government sources said this was in contravention of law.

“The new policy has not been notified. Objections are still being filed. How can you give out privileges against which people could object?” asked a senior Delhi government official.

Delhi Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami accepted that numbers were being given to people who will be exempted from paying money in the upcoming policy but he was not sure if it was within the law. Delhi transport commissioner R Chandramohan did not respond to calls and text messages.