The consignment would facilitate motorists and help the E&T department to come out of the backlog which was about 240,000 but after the delivery of two consignments by the firm the problem had been solved, said an E&T officer on condition of not to be named.
“Even after the solving the problem we have claimed difference of cost since the firm has charged from us for imported material of plates but delivered local made plates and the E&T department has filed writ petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC),” the officer further said. He said the LHC had appointed auditor to prepare a report in this regard.
Sources claimed that the E&T department had issued fresh tender notice in press and sought application from the interested parties to supply number plates to the E&T department but the next delivery would start by next year.
“More than 250,000 vehicles are plying on roads without number plates, creating problems for the motorists as well as posing a serious security risk earlier to the supply of lasts consignments from contractor,” the sources added.
The department, which had received millions of rupees from citizens seeking number plates, had not paid the contractor for making of computerised number plates, sources added.
“Had we been paid on time, we would have completed the task,” the representative of the company said. The E&T department received Rs1,000 for a car number plate and Rs485 for that of a motorcycle.
When contacted, another E&T senior officer said the contractor company had pledged to end the backlog in a couple of months.
