e-auction of fancy numbers stopped

Shimla, August 12

The state Transport Department has temporarily stopped the online auction of fancy numbers to plug loopholes it suspects some bidders are exploiting to give themselves an unfair advantage at the bidding and hoard numbers. The e-auction of the fancy numbers was started last month to ensure greater transparency in awarding select numbers to those willing to shell out money more for them.

According to an official in the know of things, a few individuals have bought multiple numbers, making the department apprehensive about their intentions. “A few individuals have bought around 10 numbers. It appears they intend to sell the number further at a higher price to others,” the official said. “They are denying an opportunity to get a number of their choice to many genuine bidders.”

To deter this practice, the department has decided to make the ownership of the number non-transferable. “A person can of course sell his vehicle, but not the number,” the official said, hoping it would curb unnecessary hoarding. The other likely change in the new SOPs would be to not grant the number to the second highest bidder in case the winning bidder fails to make the payment in the given time. “There is a possibility of collusion between the bidders. The winning bidder could deliberately let the second highest bidder take the number by not paying up.” — TNS

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