Why in News ?
Centre introduced the BH series vehicle registration system in 2021 to ease transfer of non-transport motor vehicles between states, but A.P. has not adopted it yet as it will deprive the State of revenue in life-time taxes.
What is BH series vehicle registration ?
The BH (Bharat) series number plate was introduced to facilitate seamless vehicle movement across India. Eligibility. Available to defence personnel, central/state government employees, and private sector employees with offices in four or more states/UTs.
Today’s News :
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways adopted the concept of ‘One Nation One Registration’ by introducing the ‘BH’ series registration in September 2021 to ease the transfer of non-transport motor vehicles such as cars between states as well as union territories. Some states, however, are yet to adopt it, and Andhra Pradesh is one of them.
According to official sources in the Department of Transport, Andhra Pradesh is opposed to the system as it would hamper the State’s tax revenue.
In this system, if a motor vehicle is registered with a ‘BH’ series number, its life tax is remitted directly to the Centre, not to the State. As such, a few states such as Kerala have even moved court against the system.
On the other hand, motorists and vehicle dealers are believed to be showing more interest in the ‘BH’ series. This is mainly because the tax amount under the ‘BH’ series is lower than that under the State’s system.
When contacted, Deputy Transport Commissioner G.C. Raja Ratnam clarified that owners of vehicles registered under the ‘BH’ series will have to pay tax to the State government if their vehicle is transferred to Andhra Pradesh from a State where it got the BH series number.
“Many, however, believe that if they register a vehicle under the ‘BH’ series number in one State, they can move it to any State without paying further taxes; this is not the case,” he added.
BH’ series registration has some advantages. It can be useful to those who relocate frequently owing to job change or business reasons. They can keep the same number without re-registration of vehicle when moving from one State to another.