HC rejects plea for staying bidding in vehicle plates project

HC rejects plea for staying bidding in vehicle plates project

The Delhi High Court has refused to stay the bidding process in the high security registration plates (HSRP) project, intended to prevent vehicle thefts in the national capital.

A bench of justices S Muralidhar and Rajiv Sahai Endlaw did not entertain the plea of Tonnjes Eastern Security Technologies Pvt Ltd seeking stay of the bidding on the ground of inherent defects with the process, rendering the scheme ineffective.

The notification, inviting tenders for the project, has been issued by Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System Ltd (DIMMTSL) -- a joint venture company with equal equity of the Delhi government and Infrastructure Development Finance Company.

The HSRP project will enable investigating agencies to track stolen or missing vehicles by using smart cards and global position system (GPS).

The HSRP has a chromium-based hologram with 'chakra' image sticker having the engine and chassis number and non-removable and non-reusable snap lock.

Challenging the notification of DIMMTSL, empowered by the Delhi government to float tenders, the company had sought its quashing.

It also sought issuance of fresh notification calling proposals for procurement of security licence plates and associated items in Delhi.

The company challenged the bidding process saying DIMMTSL was not an authorised body to invite bids and the process suffered from "glaring defects".

The tender invited by DIMMTSL excluded "permanent consecutive identification number" for the plates which would render the whole project ineffective, the petitioner said.

The high court, which is already seized with a similar plea, preferred not to stay the bidding.

The scheme is likely to be launched by August and the last date for submitting the bids was 10th June.

Earlier, the Road and Transport Ministry at the Centre had brought out a notification for implementation of the HSRP scheme way back in March 2001.

However, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab governments, so far, have not taken steps for the implementation of HSRP project.

Delhi government swung into action after the Supreme Court on 7th April, hauled up the states for not implementing the HSRP scheme.

In its contempt notice to transport secretaries of the states, the Supreme Court had said security of citizen is of paramount interest and the HSRP for vehicles was a step in that direction.

Out of 35 states and union territories, only Sikkim, Meghalaya and Goa have fully implemented the scheme.

The rest are still to implement it.