Dehradun: A case has come to light in Uttarakhand involving certain vehicles registered in the commercial category that are reportedly displaying white number plates instead of the prescribed yellow plates. Some of these vehicles are said to have been allotted to government officials and have also been seen on the Secretariat premises.
Following the issue coming to light, the Transport Department has said that it has initiated the process of inspecting such vehicles and issuing notices to the concerned institutions.
Under the rules, private or non-transport vehicles are required to display white number plates with black lettering, while commercial vehicles must have yellow number plates with black lettering. Yellow number plates are mandatory for taxis, buses, goods carriers and other vehicles registered in the commercial category. Therefore, replacing the prescribed number plate of a commercial vehicle with a white plate is a matter subject to regulatory scrutiny.
It has been reported that the original yellow number plates on some vehicles allotted to government officials have been removed and replaced with white plates. These vehicles also reportedly carry the words “Government of Uttarakhand” along with the designation of the concerned official.
However, the Transport Department has clarified that any final action against a vehicle will be taken only after examining its registration category, permit, use and allotment status.
Compliance with Number Plate Security Standards Also Mandatory
Vehicles are also required to comply with prescribed security standards for registration plates. High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP), featuring a specified format and security features, are required to be installed on vehicles.
Any alteration to a number plate, use of an incorrect colour or installation of a plate that does not meet prescribed standards may attract regulatory action.
If Action Is Taken Against Ordinary Vehicles, Why Not Government Vehicles?
The issue has raised questions about whether the same action will be taken when government officials’ vehicles are found violating the rules as is taken against vehicles owned by ordinary citizens.
The Transport Department has clarified that if violations are found during the investigation, action will be taken against the concerned vehicles and institutions.
Deputy Transport Commissioner Shailesh Kumar Tiwari said that several cases have come to light in which vehicles registered in the private or taxi category have had their number plates changed to white.
He said yellow number plates are prescribed for taxi vehicles and changing them is not permitted. In such cases, the vehicles may be seized and notices will be issued to the persons concerned.
Tiwari further said that some people install white number plates on taxi-category vehicles to avoid scrutiny, which is not permitted under the rules. Notices will also be issued by the Transport Department to institutions that provide such vehicles as well as to the organisations that hire them.
The department said that the exact number of vehicles found violating the rules, as well as the departments or institutions against which action will be taken, will become clear only after the investigation is completed.
