The e-auctioning of VIP numberplates for four-wheelers are all set to start from the third week of September. Base price of special numbers have been fixed for auctioning and Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) will be the nodal agency for selling these premium numbers. Faced with manpower crunch, the Transport Department has handed over the auctioning of VIP numberplates for cars to DTTDC. Officials of Transport Department said all arrangements have been completed for online auction.
The best part of the proposed scheme is that those hunting these fancy numbers don’t need to make rounds of the Transport Department offices as these numbers are to be auctioned as part of an online application scheme. The online auctioning of VIP numberplates, which has got the lieutenant Governor’s approval, hasn’t taken off as the Transport Department wants dedicated staff for this project.
The fancy car registration numbers have been divided into five categories with varying base prices. The department will announce the numbers, which will be put up for sale at the beginning of each fortnight. The plan is to have an auction every fortnight and a series of about 140 VIP numbers will go under the hammer. The dark lining of these dreamed of numberplates is that there will be a base price for every category — Rs5 lakh for 0001, for instance — and the final price can only go up in an auction. The reserved fee for other single-digit number from 0002 to 0009 has been fixed at Rs3 lakh, while the third category of double-digit numbers like 0010 to 0099 has a base price of Rs2 lakh. The category having number 786, considered auspicious by Muslims, will come for at least Rs2 lakh. Numbers such as 0100, 0111, 0200, 0222, 0300, 0333 and similar numbers up to 0999 will cost Rs1 lakh to begin with. Similarly, numbers like 2000, 8000 and 8888, 9000, 0101, 0108, 1008 will also have a reserve price of Rs1 lakh.
Initially about 140 fancy numbers will go under the hammer in the first round. The desirous and eligible can participate in the e-auction by registering online. After successful online registration, the person will receive a unique acknowledgement number (UAN). The online registration will be open for about one week. After online registration, the participating person/bidder will have to deposit a demand draft issued by any nationalised bank in the office of Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation (DTIDC) at ISBT Kashmere Gate. The amount of the demand draft will be the reserve price of the desired fancy number. After depositing the demand draft the person will be eligible to participate in the online bidding process. After completion of registration process of about one week, the online bidding process will be held for three days. One person can bid for 10 fancy registration vehicle numbers against one unique acknowledgement number of registration (UAN). However, one person will be allocated only one fancy registration number against each UAN.
The result of the bidding process will be published on the Transport Department website. The successful bidder will have to deposit the bid amount within three working days. The amount to be deposited will be the successful bid amount minus the reserve price already deposited as demand draft. After depositing the remaining amount the successful bidder will be given the allotment letter of fancy registration number. If bidder is found to be highest bidder (H1) bidder for more than one fancy registration number, then the number, for which he has quoted the highest bid amount, will only be allotted to him for each UAN.
The move may create some controversy as these numbers can be availed by ordinary citizens who can afford to pay but the same has been made absolutely free for MPs, MlAs, judges and bureaucrats. Since last year, no fancy or VIP registration number has been allotted except to exempt categories like MlA, MP, Union and Delhi Government officials, judges, etc. Officials in the Transport Department admitted that several fancy numbers have been allotted under this category in this period.
The decision to auction fancy numbers was taken after the department received complaints of corruption in allotment. “People would request for fancy numbers from the local transport office as well as approach a Minister as the numbers come at a premium. Since the consumer was willing to cough up, the Government decided to auction them,” said an official. In States like Haryana, Punjab and Goa, auctioning of vanity plates fetches crores in revenue.