Very soon, one will have to bid for getting a choice number or VIP number for vehicles in Jharkhand. The State Transport Department has prepared a proposal which calls for auction of VIP numbers, which will soon by tabled at the Cabinet for approval.
Transport Commissioner Faiz Aq Ahmed Mumtaz said, “VIP numbers come under luxury so the department has decided to auction them. It will also increase the revenue of the government.”
He added, “However, it is not much about the revenue as the revenue increase will be minimal. The necessity is more because many people want VIP numbers and auction would be a fair way for allotment of the numbers.”
Till date, the VIP numbers are given on a first come first serve basis. However, once the auction process is implemented, every VIP number will have a base price and people will have to place their bids based on that amount.
“The base price for various VIP numbers will range from Rs.21,000 to Rs. 2 lakh. So if four people are interested in getting a number, they will have to place a bid which is higher than the base price. The most expensive number would be 0001, for which the base price would be Rs 2lakh,” the Commissioner said.
The proposal calls for auction of VIP numbers on a fortnightly basis. "The entire process of auction, bidding and opening of the bids will take a time of five days so we are planning to do it on a fortnightly basis. However, the number of days involved in the process can be decreased and the frequency of biddings be increased if needed," he added.
He further said, “As the proposal involves revenue it will have to be taken to the Cabinet and changes will be need to be made in the Act. We are in the process of tabling it in the cabinet soon.”
The idea of auctioning the number is being appreciated by many citizens. “I really appreciate the idea as VIP numbers are definitely a luxury. There is no money charged for the regular registration numbers and now you can get them within three days. However, if a person is willing to get a fancy number they should be ready to pay for it too,” said Anish Gupta, a city based businessman.
