New Delhi:
The Supreme Court today slammed the Andhra Pradesh government for not obeying its orders in implementing the High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) scheme for vehicles.
HSRPs are tamper-proof and meant to aid law enforcement agencies in tracing vehicles that are involved in crimes.
MS Bitta, Chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front, had petitioned the Supreme Court for implementing high security number plates to avoid vehicles misused by terrorists.
According to sources, people will be charged between Rs 80 (for two-wheelers) and Rs 230 (for four-wheelers) for the high security registration plates.
The Court today issued contempt notice to the Andhra Pradesh Principal Secretary, Road Transport and Transport Commissioner asking them why they should not be punished for their failure in implementing the scheme. It also set April 30, 2012 as the deadline for all new vehicles to have high security number plates. For the old vehicles, the deadline was set as June 15.
While delivering the orders on implementation of high security number plates, the Supreme Court has fined a few states Rs 10,000 each for not filing affidavits despite its orders. These fines will have to be recovered from the concerned officials.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had warned all state Governments to ensure tamper-free high security number plates in vehicles, directing them to implement the scheme within four weeks. In a clear warning to state governments, a bench headed by the Chief Justice, Mr SH Kapadia, had said contempt proceedings will be initiated against the State authorities without issuing any notice in case of non-compliance of the scheme within the time limit fixed by it.