Hyderabad: The Central Motor Vehicle Act does not permit labels or stickers on number plates to indicate that a vehicle belongs to the government. The transport department has clarified that there are no provisions either in the Act or notifications permitting vehicles plying in the state to carry stickers or labels on their number plates or above their number plates stating “On Government of India duty/Government vehicle” etc. Moreover, there is no notification from the transport department for pasting labels saying “High Court Judge”, “District Judge”, “Secretary to Government”, “Chief Commissioner of Income Tax”, “VIP”, “MLA”, “MLC” etc.
It has been found that even vehicles of principals of primary government schools are now carrying such stickers.
C.J. Karira, resident of Mahendra Hills and an RTI activist, said, “Officials like to paste such stickers on number plates because it is a prestige issue for them. Also, this is done to avoid traffic fines and parking fees. It is okay if the officials are traveling in the vehicle carrying such stickers. But the stickers should not be used when the vehicle is being used by family members or when it is off duty. Many government organisations take taxis on contract basis and get the driver to stick the official designation on the number plate. But when the contract is over, no one checks if the sticker has been removed.”
“A normal vehicle will have to clear several security checks while entering the Secretariat, but a taxi carrying such stickers gets a free way irrespective of whether the official is present in the car or not,” added another activist.
An official said, “All government vehicles should carry at the rear and on the sides the inscription ‘Government Vehicle’ painted in white. No other sticker is required.”
