Karnataka: HSRP deadline likely to be extended as only 29% of vehicles comply
Bengaluru: The official deadline for installing High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) on vehicles in Karnataka is coming to an end on March 31, and only 29 percent of nearly 2 crore vehicles have affixed them.
The state government had initially set a deadline for November 2023, following a notification issued in August 2023. This mandate applied to vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, emphasising the importance of these new number plates in enhancing vehicle security, preventing thefts, reducing misuse of vehicles, and improving law enforcement.
According to the state transport department, Karnataka has nearly 2 crore vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, which need to get HSRP affixed. Of this, around 58 lakh vehicles have complied with the order, reported The New Indian Express.
An official from the transport department told TNIE that despite repeated extensions, the compliance rate remains low, hinting that, given the situation, another extension of the deadline is likely.
The official explained that early last year, they announced the deadline would not be extended further, and those who failed to affix HSRP would be fined. Fearing enforcement, many began booking HSRP and had them installed on their vehicles.
“However, we couldn’t start enforcing the same as there was a petition in court challenging the HSRP implementation in the state, and we had to maintain status quo and not take any precipitative action,” the official added.
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Omar Abdullah launches free bus service for women in Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar(PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched free bus service for women in the Union Territory, at a function held at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here on Tuesday.
Abdullah expressed hope that the move would make travel easy and comfortable for women.
The launch was also attended by ministers Satish Sharma and Sakina Itoo.
Free bus rides for women, a promise made in the National Conference's election manifesto, was announced in the recent budget presented by the chief minister.
"In the budget, we had made a special announcement that women will travel free of cost in SRTC (state road transport corporation) and Smart City buses from April 1. Today, we have launched the service with a hope that it will make their travel across Jammu and Kashmir easy and safe," Abdullah told reporters here.
He said the government will compensate the SRTC and Smart City buses for the zero-fare tickets.
"There will be no losses for the SRTC and Smart City buses. We will provide them compensation from the budget," Abdullah said.
In an X post, the chief minister said it was not just a welfare measure, but a commitment to women's empowerment and accessible mobility.
"Starting today, women across Jammu and Kashmir will travel free of cost in all Smart City and SRTC buses. This isn't just a welfare measure, it is a commitment to women's empowerment, accessible mobility, and a more inclusive J&K," he wrote.
Meanwhile, National Conference said the initiative paves way for women to move forward, both literally and figuratively.
"Enhancing mobility is key to greater opportunities, independence and progress. This initiative paves the way for women to move forward, both literally and figuratively," the NC wrote on its X handle.
