[mints21]

The road transport ministry is in the process of installing number plates in vehicles used by people who hold top constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Governors and Lieutenant governors after a Non-Profit group filed a petition in the Delhi High Court stating that the vehicle stood out without the number plate and can easily be identified as the target of terrorists.

The petitioner also said it would be difficult to trace the owner and file damages in case of an accident.

Currently these vehicles, along with those used by the protocol division of the Ministry of External Affairs to transport foreign dignitaries, display only the state emblem of India and not the registration mark. This is in violation of Section 41(6)of the Motor Vehicle Act,1988 as pointed out by a petition filed in the Delhi high court by the activist group.

The Government's move follows a writ petition filed by activist group Nyayabhoomi in the Delhi High Court on the vehicles of these top constitutional authorities not displaying registration numbers in violation of MV Act.

Source:https://www.hindustantimes.com/india...E7NMMpy5N.html

[AutoNoob]

The road transport ministry is in the process of installing number plates in vehicles used by people who hold top constitutional posts such as the president, vice-president, governors and lieutenant governors after a non-profit group filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, saying the vehicles stood out without the number plates and could be easily identified as targets by terrorists.

The petitioner also said it would be difficult for people to trace the right owner and file for damages in case of an accident, and not showing the registration number as in any regular vehicle could be seen as disobeying the law by people in important posts.

"The practice of replacing the registration mark with the State Emblem of India, instead of displaying them both, is arbitrary and symptomatic of the desire to rule rather than to serve."

Source : NDTV

I read this news just now, but not sure how to react. IMHO, even though Ministry has issued the guidelines to display registration mark, the second quoted statement was bit too harsh.

Yes, we are a democracy and everyone is equal before law; however, in my personal opinion, some posts/ positions deserve some exceptions. Already there are exemptions on prosecution of people in Constitutional and Diplomatic positions, so same way this exemption could have continued. I want to understand from other members' viewpoint.

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Indian Car Scene. Thanks for sharing!

[blackwasp]

Originally Posted by mints21

The road transport ministry is in the process of installing number plates in vehicles used by people who hold top constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Governors and Lieutenant governors after a Non-Profit group filed a petition in the Delhi High Court stating that the vehicle stood out without the number plate and can easily be identified as the target of terrorists.

How many instances of an S-Class or a 7-series in a convoy will be spotted in the country? Its not like the top guys travel without escort. It's only their official cars that are exempt from carrying the registration mark. For all we know, the President or the PM could be using other cars in a small convoy for moving around without gathering attention.

The petitioner also said it would be difficult to trace the owner and file damages in case of an accident.

Again, when such convoys pass through the city, most of the roads are cordoned off and off-limits to the public. Further, drivers of these cars are senior ranking officials from the armed forces / special forces that have been thoroughly trained for driving the vehicles. I have no clue if these cars are taken to service centres, but if I had to guess, the cars would be serviced on-site just for security reasons. The probability of them causing an accident is far to slim. Further, the claims of 3rd party damages are almost nil (not counting cases with injuries to other people), given the cumbersome process to get such claims passed.

Originally Posted by AutoNoob

Yes, we are a democracy and everyone is equal before law; however, in my personal opinion, some posts/ positions deserve some exceptions.

I agree. Some posts deserve the honour. Even flying the Indian flag on cars is restricted to a select few. Its a matter of pride rather than anything else.

This whole move seems like a gimmick by the petitioners.

[Senna4Ever]

Originally Posted by blackwasp

How many instances of an S-Class or a 7-series in a convoy will be spotted in the country? Its not like the top guys travel without escort.

The probability of them causing an accident is far to slim. Further, the claims of 3rd party damages are almost nil (not counting cases with injuries to other people)

I agree. Some posts deserve the honour. Even flying the Indian flag on cars is restricted to a select few. Its a matter of pride rather than anything else.

This whole move seems like a gimmick by the petitioners.

Originally Posted by AutoNoob

Yes, we are a democracy and everyone is equal before law; however, in my personal opinion, some posts/ positions deserve some exceptions. Already there are exemptions on prosecution of people in Constitutional and Diplomatic positions, so same way this exemption could have continued. I want to understand from other members' viewpoint.

I agree that reasons like 'being identifiable to terrorists' and 'damages in accidents' are completely bogus; probably included to add some unnecessary weight to the petition. However, I agree with rest of the petition.

I believe the statement 'arbitrary and symptomatic of the desire to rule rather than to serve' is justified even if a bit strong. It is infact arbitrary as we can all agree, removing a registration plate doesn't really add to the security of an already secured and escorted dignitary.

And, if placing the emblem doesn't serve any real purpose, why not follow the default law in first place? Why have an unnecessary exemption? In my opinion, it is symptomatic of a desire to be above law.

If one really fancies some distinction, you can have a dedicated registration format; but some sort of registration mark nevertheless.

[smuniswami]

So far, nothing adverse has happened by the present setup with respect to RTO registration for VIP vehicles. Hence, as it is, there is no need for any sort of change.The petioner’s move has no value and is an unproductive one; it must be dismissed by the court.

[binand]

Originally Posted by Senna4Ever

removing a registration plate doesn't really add to the security of an already secured and escorted dignitary.

There is one aspect of security that is enabled by NOT having a distinguishing registration mark visible on the vehicle. Such VIP cavalcades often have several, externally identical vehicles so that a potential assassin has only a one in N chance of hitting the right vehicle.

This is standard operating practice in VIP security, and some IT security teams guarding highly prized services adopt similar techniques.

Anyway, yet another addition to the list of frivolous NGOs that wouldn't see a rupee of my 80G money. Their website claims that they are crusading for "better government, speedy justice, police reforms, fighting corruption and improving civic services". Which of these do they file this PIL under, I wonder?

[roy_libran]

I find myself finding a lot of merit in the statement "arbitrary and symptomatic of the desire to rule rather than to serve".

I am completely in favour of removing all marks of distinction/superiority/preference etc. for all people holding public offices, and even if symbolically, this move brings them down to the commoner level just a wee little bit.

Next step should be to rid them of their premium luxury fleets, palatial houses etc. Why can't a well-appointed, spacious apartment in a well secured complex suffice instead? Why can't they take a regular car to work, or better still, cycle?
They are there to serve, and not wantonly spend hard-earned taxpayer money on such frivolities when there are millions of people in the country who don't even get to eat two full meals!

[vamsi.kona]

Originally Posted by mints21

The road transport ministry is in the process of installing number plates in vehicles used by people who hold top constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Governors and Lieutenant governors after a Non-Profit group filed a petition in the Delhi High Court stating that the vehicle stood out without the number plate and can easily be identified as the target of terrorists.

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I believe that contrary to the assertion it would be more easy to identify the car now if it had registration number. Right now the convoy has similar vehicles and the vehicle in which the VIP is seated is kept a secret to avoid scenarios where someone wants to target the specific vehicle. With registered numbers a mole can easily transmit the vehicle number in which the VIP is seated, unless of course all the vehicles have same numbers, in which case there is nothing much different from not having the numbers in the first place. While the possibility of targeting a VIP such as PM or president is still difficult the assertion that not having number plates makes it easy to identify is nonsense.