The government mandate requiring High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) for all vehicles has left thousands of local vendors, including number plate makers and radium sticker workers, jobless.
Small businesses involved in the manufacturing and customisation of vehicle number plates have been forced to shut down, causing frustration among workers in the industry.
Speaking to The Free Press Journal, vendors said they are struggling to earn enough to meet their daily needs and pay their room rent.
Alim Shaikh, a number plate shop owner at Nana Peth, said, "The government's decision has wiped out our business overnight. This is our second generation of making number plates and radium stickers for vehicles. Now, with the new rule, 70 per cent of our business is completely shut down. We have no alternative source of income. The government should think twice before implementing such decisions."
Wahid Shaikh, who runs a radium shop at Kumbhar Wada in Kasba Peth, expressed, "We have been serving customers for decades. I am 64 years old now and have been working for the last 32 years. I cannot change my profession. This is the only source of survival for me."
Manoj Jagtap, another number plate vendor at Nana Peth, shared, "Last year I started this business, purchasing a machine for making number plates on loan for Rs 1.5 lakh. Now the machine is useless but I have to pay the monthly installment. Who is responsible for it? I cannot fight against the government's decisions."
Sandeep Pawar, another shop owner, highlighted, "At every shop 3 to 4 workers are employed. After this decision, people are facing difficulties in paying them. They have no work to do and are forced to change their nature of work. Shop rent is around Rs 500-1000 per day. It is very hard to manage."
Meanwhile, speaking to this newspaper, Swapnil Bhosale, Assistant RTO Pune, stated that the concerns of locals vendors would be taken into consideration. "In our workshop with senior officials, we will definitely raise the demands of local vendors. If the local vendors have enough space as per the guidelines and are fulfilling all required norms for an HSRP fitment centre, then they can apply for it. Accordingly, HSRP fitment centres will be allotted to them. So far, 69 vendors have been approved for Pune to install HSRP."
What is HSRP?
Made of a rare aluminium alloy, HSRP contains a retro-reflective film with a verification inscription 'India', a chromium-based Ashok Chakra hologram, the hot-stamped letter IND in blue, and a 10-digit laser-branding of a unique serial number, making it tamper-proof.
What are its rates?
The rates for installation of HSRPs are ₹450 for two-wheelers and tractors, ₹500 for three-wheelers, and ₹745 for four-wheelers (including cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles), excluding GST.
The Transport Commissioner's office has appointed three agencies - Rosmerta Safety Systems Ltd (Zone 1), Real Mazon India Ltd (Zone 2), and FTA HSRP Solutions Pvt Ltd (Zone 3) - for the task of installing new registration plates. Pune City (MH 12) comes under Zone 1, while Pimpri-Chinchwad (MH 14) comes under Zone 2.
As per the rule, HSRPs are fitted on the front and rear sides of the vehicles along with a third registration mark sticker on the vehicle's windscreen as prescribed in Rule 50 of the Motor Vehicles Act. For new vehicles registered as of April 1, 2019, HSRPs have already been made mandatory, and the responsibility for their fitment is on the manufacturers.
As per the SOPs, vehicle owners will have to book an appointment for HSRP installation at least two days in advance, and the agencies are required to have the HSRP ready by that time. After installation, the agencies will have to update the details of the affixed plates, including the unique laser number (at least 10 digits), vehicle registration number, and photos, through the web-based application.
