Pune: RTO’s Appointment Of HSRP Companies in Maharashtra Deemed Illegal; Complaint Filed With Chief Secretary
Pune, 18th March 2025: The appointment of three companies by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to install High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) on older vehicles has been declared illegal by social activists. They have filed a complaint with Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary, alleging that one of the companies, which has a controversial track record, was awarded the contract again.
Social activists Dr. Abhishek Haridas, Manish Deshpande, and Abhijit Khedkar filed the complaint, claiming that the RTO bypassed the mandatory e-tendering process. As per state government regulations, contracts worth over ₹3 lakh must undergo an e-tendering process. However, the activists alleged that the RTO directly invited tenders via the Motor Vehicles Department’s website, benefiting the three companies—Rosmerta, Real Mazon India Ltd., and FTA HSRP Solutions Pvt. Ltd.—which were awarded contracts worth crores.
The activists highlighted that Rosmerta, one of the companies, had previously faced allegations of malpractice regarding digital vehicle identification (RC books), resulting in a criminal case. Although the company was cleared of charges, it continues to face complaints in Karnataka, Rajasthan, and other states, where courts have issued temporary injunctions. Despite its tainted history, the transport commissioner allegedly awarded Rosmerta the HSRP contract, raising questions over the selection process.
The complaint also pointed out that Maharashtra has significantly higher HSRP installation rates compared to other states. The activists provided data from RTO websites of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Gujarat, showing stark price differences:
State: Two-Wheelers, Three-Wheelers, Light Vehicles, Heavy Vehicles
– Maharashtra: ₹450, ₹500, ₹745, ₹745
– Gujarat: ₹160, ₹200, ₹400, ₹480
– Punjab: ₹162, ₹218, ₹480, ₹512
– Chhattisgarh: ₹310, ₹362, ₹556, ₹598
– Jharkhand: ₹300, ₹340, ₹540, ₹570
The activists demanded action against the RTO and the companies, accusing them of violating the state’s e-tendering policy and exploiting vehicle owners by charging inflated rates.
Responding to the allegations, Maharashtra Regional Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar stated that the HSRP tendering process was conducted as per state government guidelines. He denied any irregularities and claimed that the rates include Goods and Services Tax (GST), making the prices consistent with those in other states.
The activists, however, insist that the RTO’s justification is misleading and are calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged corruption and overpricing.
