Punjab Excise new scheme on number plates offers relief for car, bike buyers

LAHORE: In a relief step for the inflation-hit public, the Punjab Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control has stopped collecting fees for the issuance of computerized number plates for automobiles and motorbikes.

The provincial cabinet has approved ending the government’s monopoly in issuing computerized number plates for vehicles. It has been decided that several private businesses will be permitted to manufacture and distribute number plates to consumers.

According to officials, the decision comes after years of public grievances and administrative challenges that had left approximately three million vehicle owners waiting for their number plates to be issued across the province.

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Excise Director General Faisal Fareed has issued a notification in this regard,  barring officials from fee collection for number plates with new or duplicate. A notification has been sent to Excise Secretary Masood Mukhtar, ordering officers to implement the cabinet’s decision.

The officials said this step is expected to bring healthy competition among private companies registered under the scheme. It is anticipated that working with private businesses will simplify the procedure and save costs by as much as Rs 500 compared to the current government prices.