From Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore, Jan 30: If a rose by any name would smell as sweeter and, therefore, changing the name does not really matter, would the same logic apply to numbers?

Well, it does not, when it comes to registration numbers of vehicles. At least, that is the thinking of Karnataka’s Transport Minister R Ashok.

For, under the new policy for grant of fancy numbers for registration of new vehicles, the Transport Minister has proposed to levy exhortbitant rates.

Apparently, the Minister thinks that the new numbering policy or least that for granting fancy numbers for registration of new vehicles – be they two-wheelers, four- wheelers and other commercial vehicles – will fetch enormous dividends for the state government.

Ashok believes that a sizeable section of the vehicle owners would not think twice in literally paying through their nose to get the number of their choice for two-wheelers or four-wheelers as many feel that choice of numbers plays an important role in bringing fortunes and even good omen in personal life or business as is evident from the demand for fancy numbers.

The Minister believes that vehicle owners would not mind paying upto Rs 25,000 for two-wheelers or Rs 75,000 for four-wheelers for grant of the choice numbers during registration with the Regional Trnasport Officer (RTO) concerned.

``We have therefore decided to go in for a three-fold increase in the fees for release of fancy numbers for new vehicles from next year,’’ he said

The fee for releasing fancy numbers in the present series for two-wheelers would be enhanced from the present Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 while the charges for cars would go up from Rs 6,000 to Rs 20,000. The fee for release of fancy numbers for all other categories of vehicles would go up from the present Rs 9,000 to Rs 30,000.

However, in the new series to be started shortly, the fee for getting the choicest fancy numbers would – yes, hold your breath – be increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 25,000 for two-wheelers and for four-wheelers, including cars, from Rs 25,000 to Rs 75,000.

According to the Minister, the numbers ending with, say 786, 999 and 001 were in great demand with more than ten persons would be pestering the RTO to grant them the number chosen by them after paying the prescribed fee. For many people, the Minister said property khata numbers or door numbers were considered lucky and they insist the same series for the new vehicles purchased by them.

 ``The RTO finds it tough to face the pressure and discharge his duties,’’ he contended and pointed out that there were instances of some individuals seeking the intervention of senior government officials and even ministers. ``Of course, there are instances of RTOs trying to make a fast buck,’’ he confessed.

Pointing out the Transport Department had netted a neat revenue of Rs 10 crore this year from the release of fancy numbers, the Minister said the Department hopes to earn a minimum of Rs 30 crore of revenue in the coming year.

So, did you say what is there in a number? Think again.

GOVT PROPOSES ``GREEN CESS’’ ON INDUSTRIES:

Meanwhile, in another initiative aimed at mobilising funds for the renewable energy sector, the B S Yeddyurappa regime has come out with a proposal to levy ``green cess’’ on industries.

Addressing a seminar on ``renewable energy options in hotels, hospitals and technical institutions,’’ Karnataka’s Additional Chief Secretary to Energy Department K Jairaj said the government planned to approach the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission’s approval for the proposal.

The Government hopes to raise Rs 50 crore to Rs 60 crore from the proposed green cess and has identified four locations for development as solar cities.

The money would be utilised for the development of renewable energy, incubation of projects and enhance capabilities on evacuation of wind power in districts such as Chitradurga, Gadag and Davangere, he said.

Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) Managing Director H G Shivananda Murthy said the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has approved the State’s proposal to promote Mysore and Hubli-Dharwad as solar cities. Belgaum and Shimoga were also proposed to be promoted in a similar way, he said.

In the tariff petition filed before the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission last year, the Bescom had had proposed to levy a green cess of 5 paise per every unit of power consumed by the Low Tension Industrial and Commercial consumers.

But the Commission had not considered such a proposal on the grounds that ``such a levy is not a part of the tariff issue and outside the scope of the tariff order.’’