The government is in works to have the vehicles of top constitutional authorities such as the President, the Vice President, and even the governors to display their registration numbers. This move comes in order to eradicate the VVIP culture in the country. This is the second move in two years by the Modi government following the ban on sporting red beacon on vehicles.
As of now, the vehicles of these authorities have the state emblem of India and not the registration mark. As of now, the protocol states that the vehicles used by the ministry of external affairs to transport foreign dignitaries to sport the emblem. Not having a number plate is a violation of Section 41(6) of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and this was pointed out by a petition which was filed in the Delhi high court, reported Hindustan Times.
It was last year when the government decided to scrap the use of red beacon on the vehicle used by the VVIP including the Prime Minister. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vehicle displays its registration number.
According to a Hindustan Times report, in January 2 memo to Sanjay Kothari, secretary to President Ram Nath Kovind, the Union road transport and highways ministry says: “In light of the provisions contained in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is requested that it may be ensured that all the vehicles of the Rashtrapati Bhawan also display the registration mark as per the rules.”
The move by government comes after a written petition was filed by the activist group Nyayabhoomi in the Delhi high court. The group also asked that action need to be taken by the transport authorities and the police against these vehicles for violating the provisions of the MV Act.
Vehicles of many state head across the world use number plates, while some use ceremonial number plates or some use no number plates at all. For instance, former US President Barack Obama’s vehicle used a nondescript number plate.