Mumbai, February 28: The Maharashtra government is facing intense criticism from the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) over the high fees imposed on vehicle owners for high-security registration plates (HSRPs). The opposition leaders have demanded an investigation into the alleged overpricing and called for transparency in awarding the contract.
State Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal and NCP (SP) State Chief Jayant Patil have written separate letters to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, highlighting the financial strain on vehicle owners due to the high fees charged in Maharashtra compared to other states.
HSRPs, which are designed to enhance vehicle security and curb theft, have been made mandatory for vehicles registered before April 1, 2019. However, Sapkal pointed out that the charges in Maharashtra are significantly higher than in neighboring states.
Disproportionate Fee Structure
Sapkal cited the example of Goa, where a two-wheeler HSRP costs ₹155, whereas in Maharashtra, the same plate is priced at ₹450. The fee for three-wheelers and four-wheelers in Goa is ₹155 and ₹203, respectively, while Maharashtra vehicle owners are charged ₹500 and ₹745. Other states like Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab also impose lower fees.Additionally, Sapkal alleged that an 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been levied on the plates without proper disclosure, further escalating costs for vehicle owners. He demanded that the government make public the letter of intent and work order issued to the contractor and called for an extension of the deadline for compliance.
Call for Investigation into Contract Allocation
Echoing similar concerns, Jayant Patil of NCP (SP) raised questions about the contract’s legitimacy. He accused the government of favoring select companies and alleged collusion among officials during the contract approval process.“Who has given the contract to rob the citizens of Maharashtra? There should be an immediate investigation into this matter. Strict action must be taken against those responsible,” Patil demanded in his letter.
He pointed out that Rosmerta Safety Systems Ltd, Real Mazon India Ltd, and FTA HSRP Solutions Pvt Ltd were awarded a ₹600 crore contract for implementing HSRPs in Maharashtra. Alleging corruption, he urged the government to revoke the contract and introduce fair pricing for the plates.
Government’s Response Awaited
The matter has sparked political controversy, with growing calls for a probe into the transport department’s decision-making process. The transport department is currently led by Shiv Sena Minister Pratap Sarnaik, but the state administration has yet to respond to the allegations.With mounting pressure from opposition leaders, the Maharashtra government may have to reassess the pricing structure or initiate a review of the contract to address public concerns.