VIP numbers at a cheaper price

KOCHI: Who will be the 8055 of KL 07? (8055 reads as BOSS on number plates!) Showing off fancy registration numbers has always been a craze for Kochiites. Cashing in on this craze is a money-minting racket operating from behind the scenes at the RTO office in Kakkanad. They are settling the deal outside with the participants of the auction while the authorities are forced to remain mute spectators and watch fancy registration numbers being auctioned for meagre amounts.When this reporter contacted an RTO agent he readily agreed to go for an outside settlement. “To get your favourite number you must deal with big fish in the business,” he said. Figures substantiate this fact. Since 2005, the Regional Transport Office (RTO), Ernakulam, has earned only Rs 35,37150 from the auctions for registration numbers. The highest amount ever quoted in an auction in the district is Rs 4,08,000 for the number K L O7 AW 1 despite the rich and the famous from businessmen to filmstars craving for single digit fancy numbers and willing to pay for them.In the recently allotted series, KL 07 BJ 1 went for Rs 250, and the 1 in the BM series for Rs 1,400 and BL series for Rs 2,700, while BM 9 went for Rs 3000 and BL 9 for Rs 700. Genuine bidding is also taking place. In the BL series number 111 went for Rs 1,10,000 and 9000 went for Rs 1,48,000.But these are exceptions. Many fancy numbers used to go for huge amounts but the latest statistics show that applicants are not keen to participate even in the notified number aka vip number auctions and the RTO authorities are forced to offer numbers at cheap rates.Since there are 60 RTO offices in the state, getting a fancy number is easier now.One can book any number available in the list of 250 fancy numbers by paying Rs 2000. If there is only one applicant for a particular number within 24 hours the person who booked it first will be allotted the number. An auction is held when there are more then one applicant and the highest bidder will be allotted the number. The auction is held 20 days after the booking.“With numerology becoming popular people are all the more eager to get fancy registration numbers,” said an RTO official.Sources in the Motor Vehicles Department disclosed that a racket is working to sabotage auctions and they are forced to allot VIP numbers at a cheaper price.“There are instances of applicants purposefully delaying auctions by ignoring the reminders,’’ sources said. As per the norms, an auction can be held only if all bidders are present. “Fixing a basic price for the most sought after numbers is the best way to get reasonable revenue for the government,’’ he said.

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