SHILLONG, DEC 4: The credibility of the High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) affixed in all vehicles in the state has come in for a sharp criticism in view of the increasing vehicle thefts despite Meghalaya being the only state where the HSRP is costly.
“The credibility of the HSRP can be questioned because of the increasing vehicle thefts in the state ,” NKU general secretary Samborlang Diengdoh told reporters at a news conference on Thursday.
He said it is just the opposite of what was promised when the HSRP was first introduced in the state as the authority had assured full security.
“We were made to believe that by fitting the HSRP, it will have some kind of GPS tracking in case our vehicle is stolen but the fact today is we find that it is just a number plate with no such special facilities,” he said.
The HSRP was first implemented in Meghalaya way back 2007.
He further said that Meghalaya is the only state in the country where the HSRP is more expensive than in other states.
“It is five-six times higher than what was charged by the company – Agros Impact in neigbouring Assam,” Diengdoh said. According to him, while in Meghalaya, applying for HSRP for four wheelers is Rs 1905, in Assam it is only Rs 319.
“This is nothing but an act of over ground extortion from the people of the state,” he said.
He said the union therefore, decided to demand the implementing company – Shimnit Utsch India Private Limited -to immediately reduce the rate for the HSRP in the state.
“We demand that the rate for HSRP should be same as in other states in the country,” he said adding the company must also clarify the reason for the expensive rate of HSRP in Meghalaya, he said..
He further said in case the company failed to comply with its demand, it will demand from the state government for its immediate replace the present company with other companies who are capable of giving a reasonable rate for the people of the state.- By Our Reporter
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