Karnataka: New number plates mandatory for all vehicles registered before April 2019; Details here
Bengaluru: The Karnataka state transport department has announced that all vehicles registered prior to April 1, 2019, must be equipped with high-security registration plates (HSRP) by November 17, 2023.
A recent notification issued on August 17, 2023, outlines that vehicle owners failing to comply with this deadline will face penalties ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000.
HSRPs, distinguished by their permanent identification numbers and chromium-based holograms, come with tamper-proof features, ensuring standardized and secure registration plates, stated a transport department official.
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Approximately 1.75 crore to 2 crore vehicles were registered in Karnataka before April 1, 2019, as per the transport department's estimates. "Starting April 1, 2019, the installation of HSRPs became mandatory for all newly registered vehicles," shared a senior official.
The authorized HSRP manufacturers, in collaboration with vehicle manufacturers, are responsible for supplying these plates to dealers. The same system will apply to older vehicles, with orders for HSRP installation being facilitated through authorized dealers of vehicle manufacturers.
Regarding the cost of HSRPs, the official mentioned, "Authorized suppliers are chosen by vehicle manufacturers through competitive pricing. Prices may range from Rs 400 to Rs 500 for four-wheelers and between Rs 250 and Rs 300 for two-wheelers. A total of 12 states have already implemented this rule in accordance with central government guidelines."
The Significance of HSRP Implementation
The transport department's notification emphasizes that HSRPs prevent tampering and counterfeiting of plates, contributing to the reduction of vehicle-related crimes and facilitating easy identification of vehicles on the road.
Upon installing HSRPs, authorized dealers or manufacturers are required to update laser coding on the Vahan portal. However, vehicles lacking registration certificates, fitness certificates (for transport vehicles), or overdue road tax will not be eligible for HSRPs.
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41 lakh illicit liquor seized, 1.84 lakh arrested in major drive: K'taka Minister tells Assembly
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Karnataka Excise Department has conducted a statewide crackdown on illegal liquor trade over the last two years, resulting in arrests and seizures of alcohol, Karnataka Excise Minister R B Timmapur said on Tuesday.
As many as 1,09,017 people were arrested, and seizures included 13.66 lakh litres of liquor and 27.19 lakh litres of beer, he said in a written reply to a starred question by Harihar BJP MLA B P Harish in the Karnataka Assembly.
The Minister said the enforcement drive covered the financial year 2023–24, 2024–25 up to June, and 2025–26 from July to October, targeting unauthorised liquor manufacture, storage, sale and transportation across the State.
"During this period, statewide enforcement drives resulted in a total of 1,84,570 raids against illegal liquor sales,” Timmapur said.
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He noted that 9,179 non-bailable cases and 91,968 bailable and compoundable cases under Section 15(A) of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, were registered during the same period.
According to him, there have been no reports indicating that students have become addicted to alcohol due to illegal liquor sales.
The sale of alcohol to minors is strictly prohibited under the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, and the department has issued periodic instructions to initiate legal action against violators, with strict enforcement and investigation measures in place, the Minister said.
Excise officials are carrying out regular road and night patrols, collecting intelligence, monitoring habitual offenders and conducting raids to identify illicit distillation units, unauthorised liquor outlets and spurious liquor manufacturing centres, he said, adding the department is also enforcing the law to prevent the production, storage, sale and transport of spurious, non-duty-paid and unauthorised liquor.
Regular patrols are being conducted on national and state highways, with suspicious vehicles being subjected to checks.
At the district level, standing committee meetings are held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners, and joint operations are carried out with the police and forest departments to curb excise-related offences.
The department is also conducting awareness programmes through Gram Sabhas and in schools and colleges to educate the public and students about the physical, mental and social health hazards associated with alcohol addiction and substance abuse, Timmapur added.
