HSRP: Odisha number plate & stickering artist association threatens stir

Members of the Odisha Number Plate and Stickering Artist Association are staring at an uncertain future. The recent decision of the State government to make High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) madantory for old vehicles prior to 2019 has pushed their livelihood into uncertainties.

The association has opposed the move of the government as they fear loss of livelihood. Ranjan Mishra, advisor of the association, said nearly 20,000 families in the State are going to be affected by the government’s decision of making HSRP mandatory.

“All the members of the association had lost their livelihood when flex printing was introduced. Most of them were eking out a living by making number plates for vehicles. Now their livelihoods are at stake,” said Mishra.

He said a lot of people will face problems as they will have to spend hours in queue to fix the HSRP as the government has allowed a handful of dealers in this space only.

“Though we welcome the HSRP, we want the State government to make provisions to provide barcodes and necessary numbers to customers so that they can affix it in their concerned districts at number plates and stickering shops,” Mishra added.

Meanwhile, the online service to book High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) and colour-coded stickers for old vehicles in Odisha will be available by the end of June 1, the State Transport Authority (STA) had announced yesterday.

The vehicle owners can avail the service by visiting the official website of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM)-http://siam.in.