The government has decided to introduce embossed number plates and smart licences from next fiscal year.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the vehicles will have uniform number plates with unique security features once the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management brings the system into force next year,\u201d said Anil Gurung, Deputy Secretary at MoLTM. \u201cThe Department of Transport Management is working on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
DoTM had envisioned embossed number plates in 2009 and forwarded the idea to MoLTM but only to be rejected. Then minister for transport management Mohammed Aftab Alam had tried to implement embossed number plates and smart licences one year later, but the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority had stopped the process following reports of irregularities in tender process.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe department has already begun its work to introduce embossed number plates and smart licences,\u201d said Gurung, hinting that both the systems will come into force from early 2012\/13.<\/p>\n
The department is exploring features to be included in embossed number plates. \u201cThere will be a unique identity of owner hidden in every number plate, which will spare owners from the hassles of carrying the bluebook (vehicle ownership certificate) while driving,\u201d said Kapil Dangol, Director, DoTM. According to him, carrying a smart licence will be enough.<\/p>\n
Introduction of embossed number plates will also help bring outstanding revenue into state coffers. About 70 per cent owners of motorcycles and nearly 30 per cent private light vehicle owners have not paid vehicle tax for years. According to DoTM, embossed number plates will help the state collect around Rs 4 billion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are planning to add a security sticker in each number plate to stop people from evading tax,\u201d said Dangol. DoTM has yet to finalise size, model and features of the number plate though.<\/p>\n
The department, however, is mulling over adding owner details \u2014 name, address and profession \u2014 in the number plates to track down the vehicles in case of accident, crime and other emergency scenario. \u201cPolice can easily get all such information just by scanning the number plate,\u201d said Dangol.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The government has decided to introduce embossed number plates and smart licences from next fiscal year. \u201cAll the vehicles will have uniform number plates with unique security features once the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management brings the system into<\/p>\n