In a great news, the Punjab government has almost resolved the two-year-old crisis of new computerized number plates. According to media reports, a financial bid for new plates to National Radio Tele Communication Corporation (NRTC) has been opened. The bid was earlier submitted to Excise and Taxation Department.
Under this tender, the price for new number plates will be same as the old ones. “The plates for car, bus and truck will be prepared in Rs1027, while number plates for motorcycle and rickshaw will cost only Rs710,” the reports stated. The evaluation team will present its report to Secretary Excise in the coming days.
After the submission, a summary will be sent to the provincial cabinet for the “Government-to-Government” deal between Punjab and federal government.
Progress on Contract:
Meanwhile, NRTC has completed civil work for the establishment of plate manufacturing unit at Kot Lakhpat in Lahore. The authority has already brought 13 machines for production, while 22 more units will reach at the site next month. The corporation has provided a one-year schedule for the production of new plates and to end the backlog of 2million plates.
The crisis of computerized number plates in Punjab is persisting for the last two years. Earlier, Excise tried to handover the contract to previous company, but efforts remained futile. Following this, NRTC requested for the contract to the Excise and Taxation Department. After receiving the request, Punjab cabinet decided to handover the contract to NRTC on “Government-to-Government” bases.
According to Excise officials, all preparations have been completed, the financial bid is opened and prices have not been increased. In the next few days, the agreement draft between NRTC and Excise and Taxation Department will be sent to the provincial cabinet, and production will be started right after the approval.
Talking to media, Excise Minister Hafiz Mumtaz said the issue is resolved through this new agreement. Currently, 2 million consumers in Punjab have not received computerized plates, despite paying full dues.
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