Ludhiana: 3 months on, VIP vehicle number applicants await refund

VIP vehicle number applicants who had paid refundable security to get enrolled into auction, conducted by district transport authorities to sell these fancy numbers, have been awaiting their refund for the past three months.

The applicants said they have sent several emails to the transport department demanding refund, but in vain. The department charges a non-refundable enrolment fee of ₹5,000, along with ₹25,000 refundable security, for the auction of number series from 0001 to 0009, and 0786 number. Apart from these numbers, an applicant has to ₹1,000 without any security for other fancy numbers.

Notably, the mode of auction was shifted from offline to online mode during the Covid pandemic to ensure transparency in the auction process.

One of the applicants, Jaskaran Singh, said, “ I paid ₹5,000 siting fees and ₹25,000 as security for HY 0009 number, but failed to get the number. I’m waiting for the refund for almost three months.”

Another applicant Parminder Singh said,” In October 2022, I had applied online for HX 0001 number, but have not received the refund amount so far. I have written several emails to the department regarding the issue, but to no avail.”

State transport commissioner Moneesh Kumar said, “I had a meeting with bank officials and other stakeholders. The issue will be resolved within next week.”