Litigation: Govt, contractor tussle creating headaches for bikers

Due to tussle, around 40,000 motorbike owners were unable to get registration plates since 2012.

RAWALPINDI:

Owing to a prolonged litigation between a supply firm and the government, around 40,000 motorcycle owners have been waiting to get registration plates from the Rawalpindi Motor Registration Authority (MRA) for months.

Applicants did not receive registration plates from March 2012 to May 2013 despite having deposited the fees.

Officials at the Rawalpindi MRA said it has nothing to do with the delay in issuing the number plates, as the plates supplying firm stopped the project last year before going to court.



Since May 2013, the Excise and Taxation Office (ETO) has stopped receiving fees for issuing registration plates, sources said, adding that the ETO office has allowed motorcyclists to get number plates from private plate makers. However, under traffic laws, displaying non-standard number plates is banned.

“The traffic police often stop motorcyclists for having ‘private number plates’ and we are well aware of the problem. Time and again we have written to traffic police requesting them not to disturb motorcyclists with such plates. The ongoing litigation between the government and the supplying firm has left the ETO office unable to issue number plates,” said Excise and Taxation Officer Istafa Haider while talking to The Express Tribune on Saturday.



He said that as soon as the government awards a new contract or the issue is settled, all those who have submitted the fee from March 2012 to 2013 would be issued the registration plates.

“The traffic police cannot impose a fine on motorcyclists having private number plates as the ETO office has officially informed them about the issue.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2013.