Pune, a city in India, has experienced a significant uptake in registrations under the BH (Bharat) Number Plate series introduced by the Government of India. This series was designed to alleviate the inconvenience associated with re-registering vehicles when relocating from one state to another. So far this year, a total of 3,831 personal vehicles, including both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, have been registered under the BH series with the Pune Regional Transport Officer.
The BH number plate series was initially launched in Maharashtra in October 2021, and by the end of that year, only 131 vehicles had been registered under this series. However, in 2022, this number surged to 3,762. The trend has continued to grow in 2023, with an additional 3,831 vehicles being registered under the BH series.
Deputy Regional Transport Officer Sanjiv Bhor highlighted that the BH series is particularly favored by individuals who frequently relocate due to their employment, such as central government employees. Additionally, private company employees working in businesses with offices in four or more states or Union territories are also eligible for the BH series.
It’s important to note that the BH series doesn’t entail tax exemption. Instead, taxes must be paid based on a formula established by the central government. Tax payments are required every two years for up to 16 years. However, the rule eliminates the need to repay taxes and re-register vehicles after each relocation, providing a smoother process for individuals changing their state of residence.
Under the tax structure of the BH series, vehicles with an invoice price under Rs 10 lakh will be subjected to an 8% tax, those between Rs 10 to 20 lakhs will face a 10% tax, and vehicles priced above Rs 20 lakhs will incur a 12% tax. Electric vehicles will enjoy a 2% lower tax rate, while an additional 2% tax will be imposed on diesel vehicles.
In Pune, the proportion of two-wheelers to four-wheelers registered is consistently higher every year. The number of two-wheelers registered has increased from 106 in 2021 to 1,047 in 2022, and now stands at 1,186 in the current year. Bhor noted that Pune witnesses a trend of higher two-wheeler purchases, with around 17,000 to 18,000 two-wheelers and 4,000 to 5,000 four-wheelers being registered on a monthly basis.
The BH number plate series, introduced by the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, aims to simplify processes for employees with transferable jobs. Eligible individuals can apply for the BH series through an online process on the Parivahan Sewa web portal, encompassing employees from various sectors including defense, banking, administration, and private firms.
