TN calls tenders for high security number plates

ERODE: With the Supreme Court censuring all state governments recently for not enforcing its order that was passed a few years ago on introduction of high security number plates (HSNP), the Tamil Nadu Government has initiated a process of inviting tenders for manufacturing such number plates.The speciality of HSNPs is that if these plates are scanned, the data in them would reveal all particulars about the vehicles and vehicle owners. Central Government’s announcement on HSNP came nearly five years ago as such number plates were used in developed countries. Now, the SC has ordered that it must be enforced within a month.“Our government has started the process. It has invited tenders from all over the country. Its plan is to appoint a manufacturer, which could produce such plates in its own unit. Thereafter, the same manufacturer will supply such plates to all dealers of new vehicles,” Erode RTO K Venkatesan told Express.In case of HSNP plates for old vehicles, the vehicle owners would have to register in the RTO offices, which would send the details online to the manufacturer. Later, the owners can collect their plates from RTO offices. He further said that using these plates, thefts or tampering of plates could be easily identified. “The state has over 70 lakh vehicles so that the process of changing to HSNPs could not be done overnight. Hence, the government will explain to SC about the initiatives taken on this regard to enforce its order gradually,” he said.Erode driving school owners association president Selvaraj said the proposed number plate making firm was said to be having the capacity to produce over 15,000 plates a day. Owners of old vehicles have to remit `350 in the RTO to get the plate.