This is indeed good news for the government. One of the functions of it's Regional Transport Office (RTO) department is to allocate registration numbers to every vehicle. Free of charge. But here are vehicle owners, who are ready to pay half the price of the vehicle itself to get a registration number of their choice !

With 9999 numbers to choose from in any series, favourites abound. Like 007 for James Bond fans, 1, 11, 111 and 1111 for those who believe they're number one, 666 for death metal types, and 786 for Muslims.

In addition, there are alphabets too, from which one can choose. So initials of persons matching the registration numbers always are favourites.

In Surat, the GJ 5 AK series is currently on. AK for Assault Kalashnikov, a Russian assault rifle made legendary by the movies and movie stars (a known actor was caught with a few of these some years back). These guns are always in the news every second day ``AK 47 / AK 56 rifles seized'' is regularly heard or read. Surtis bid enthusiastically for both numbers.

``It is the duty of the RTO department to provide registration numbers to all vehicles free of charge, apart from the regular road tax which varies from vehicle to vehicle,'' said Regional Transport Officer K M Patel.

However, with the bidding system introduced by the government about three years ago, a twin purpose has been solved. While the department earns revenue, people ride home happily with a number of their choice.

The system presently followed is that people have to apply for a particular number on the day that a series begins. If more than one apply for a particular number, tenders are sought and the highest bidder is awarded the number. The practice of accepting money for a particular number began in November 1993, and seeking tenders was initiated in 1996.

Sources in the RTO department here remember Rs 31,100 being paid by a two-wheeler owner to get the number 1111, Rs 25,000 for a 786 number, Rs 12,000 for a 111 number and many others. Among the highest paid for the present GJ F AK series that began from Saturday, 007 number was awarded for Rs 11,000, 786 for Rs 9000, 001 for Rs 7000, 1111 for Rs 5001, 111 for Rs 4500, 999 for Rs 4,444, 009 for Rs 4000 and number 900 for Rs 3559.

AK 47 was awarded for Rs 705 ( four people bid for it) while AK 56 was awarded for Rs 700 (three persons bid for it).

While some alphabet series have been allotted for two-wheelers, some are meant only for four-wheelers. There are also other series that are reserved only for government and public vehicles.