Firm in charge of high-security number plates accused of overcharging

GURUGRAM: The subdivisional magistrate (SDM) sent a letter to the deputy commissioner on Monday,. requesting “action at higher level” after complaints that a private firm appointed by the government was overcharging for installing high-security registration plates (HSRP) on vehicles were found to be correct.

Adhikaar, a city-based group of RTI activists, had filed a complaint with the SDM’s office in October alleging that the firm, Link Utsav Registration Plates Pvt Ltd, was charging almost twice the rate fixed by the government for installation of the new numberplates.

Adhikaar member Ramesh Yadav, one of the complainants, said, “HSRP for a car cost Rs 372 as per the government-fixed rates, but the vendor is charging Rs 667, which is almost twice the amount. The SDM had called both us and Link Utsav officials to his office. While our representatives came to the meeting, Link Utsav officials didn’t show up at all,” Yadav said.

The letter (a copy of which is with TOI) states: “…the matter was enquired by a deputing official of this official…who has confirmed that the agency is charging additional/extra amounts in violation of the government instructions. The representative of the agency also appeared in this office and utterly failed to justify the reasons as to why additional/extra amounts are being charged... The complaints against the agency are correct and despite repeated directions the agency has not complied with the directions, therefore, necessary action is to be taken at higher level.”

SDM Sanjiv Singhla SAID he had issued directions to Link Utsav earlier as well. “On Monday, we sent an official to verify the complaints. They turned out to be true. Since the firm is a state-appointed vendor, I have sent a letter to the Gurugram deputy commissioner and also sent a copy to the traffic commissioner,” he said. Deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh said he has received the letter and will write to the transport department.