After lying in limbo for almost a year, the Delhi Cabinet has now given the go-ahead for the auction of fancy number plates in the city. The Transport Department will test the software which will process the online auction of premium numbers on July 31.
Once the software design is cleared, the project will be sent to lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung for approval and final notification on the online auction will then be issued. Seekers of premium number plates in Delhi will then be able to place their bids.
Since August last year, no premium numbers were allotted, except for people from exempt categories. Senior officials cited the design of the software as the reason for the delay.
Transport Commissioner Puneet Goel said: “The department will test the software, designed by National Informatics Centre on July 31.Once the software is cleared, it will be forwarded to the l-G for approval and the final public notification on the process to get premium number plates in the Capital will be issued thereafter.”
This will be the second test of the software. “The department had conducted a trial of the software a few months ago and some improvements were suggested. The improved version of the software will be available for testing soon. Once the new design is cleared by the department, it will be sent for further approvals,” said a Delhi Government official.
The department had issued a notification earlier, inviting suggestions and objections from the public on the online auction. As per the policy, the fancy number plates have been categorized under five heads and a base price has been fixed.
“The department will upload the premium number open for bidding. Those interested in participating in the 14-day-long auction will have to place online bids. The highest bidder during the two-week period will be allotted the premium number,” added the official.
Delhi Government had framed a fancy number plate policy after there were numerous complaints of corruption in the allotment of premium numbers.
The premium number plates were placed under five categories with number 0001 being the most expensive with a base price of Rs 5 lakh. The numbers under the second category - 0002 to 0009 will command a minimum reserve price of Rs 3 lakh. The third category will include numbers 0010 to 0099 and 0786 for which the bids will start from Rs 2 lakh.
For numbers 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 1111, 2222, 3333, 4444, 5555, 6666, 7777, 8888, 99999, bidding will begin at Rs 1 lakh.
Those who want a specific number, not covered under any of the four fancy number categories, will have to pay Rs 20,000 as the minimum bidding amount.