Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Dec 2: The Karnataka state government has decided to extend the deadline for High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) registration to December 31 this year.
The current deadline, which ends on November 30, was extended after the RTO appealed to the transport minister and secretary of the transport department, citing that a considerable number of vehicle owners have yet to install the new HSRP plates. This marks the fifth extension of the deadline.
Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy stated, “The court is expected to give its verdict on the fine and a possible extension if the HSRP number plates are not fixed by December 4. Complaints have been received that consumers are unable to apply for HSRP number plates through the portal due to technical issues. Therefore, we have decided to extend the deadline to December 31, although this will naturally depend on the court’s verdict on December 4.”
The high court is currently holding an inquiry into the action to be taken against riders and drivers who fail to comply with the HSRP registration plate guidelines. It is also examining a petition filed by the HSRP registration plate manufacturers’ association, which has challenged the transport department’s decision to approve only specific manufacturers for producing HSRP plates.
The transport department has mandated the installation of these tamper-proof registration plates on all vehicles purchased before April 1, 2019. The initial deadline was set for November 17, 2023, with fines announced for non-compliance. However, due to many vehicles still not being equipped with the plates, the deadline has been repeatedly extended.
A senior officer disclosed that issues with vehicle registration data have created significant problems for thousands of vehicle owners. These issues stem from errors made in 2012 by an outsourced company responsible for data entry work.
An RTO officer explained, “The portal amendment can only be carried out by the NIC in Delhi. At least 1,000 vehicle owners have complained about the issue. They approach us with hard copies of their RCs, which we have forwarded to Delhi. Approximately 20% of vehicle owners in Karnataka are facing similar problems.”