Punjab Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department to outsource the preparation of computerized number plates
In a bid to meet the increasing demand of new number plates, Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department, Government of Punjab has decided to outsource this service to private companies.
With an increasing number of vehicles on the roads, it is becoming harder for the concerned authority to meet its deadline for the delivery of number plates. This holds especially true of motorcycles. To register the ever-increasing number of two-wheelers and deliver their number plates in time, Government of Punjab has now formulated a proposal to award the number plate manufacturing contract to private companies. It is important to mention here that the government has decided not to revise the number plate fee.
The issuance of computerized number plates was first introduced back in 2006. Since 2006, the said department has always faced problems in meeting the rising demand for new vehicle registration. The department has so far awarded the contract, which is extendable, to a company for a period of 3 years.
According to one set of statistics, nearly 0.7 lac motorbike owners failed to get their number plates in time from 2012-2014. In the next couple of years, the same problem was faced by more than 1 lac car owners. The proposed decision, if gets implemented, could result in a breather for both the concerned department and the citizens.
The Director-General of Punjab Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department, Akram Ashraf Gondal has also confirmed the said news. According to him, all the necessary steps will be taken to facilitate the citizens. Due to the backlog of hundreds of number plates in the province, the solution of outsourcing was proposed. However, the final decision in this regard rests with the secretary of Punjab Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department.
If this proposal is accepted then the new vehicle owners will have to visit the nearest contractor’s office, which will in turn work under the supervision and guidance of Punjab Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department, minimizing the chances of fraudulent activities.
Have you ever had to wait for a long period of time to get your car/bike’s number plates? What do you think about this recent development? Let us know in the comments section below.