Amidst allegations of monopoly, Karnataka transport department issues guidelines for HSRP affixation

The guidelines issued by the transport department are as follows:

1. Visit https://transport.karnataka.gov.in OR http://www.siam.in and click book HSRP.

2. Choose your Vehicle manufacturer.

3. Fill basic vehicle details.

4. Choose dealer location as per your convenience for affixation of HSRP.

5. Pay HSRP fee online. No payment to be made in cash.

6. An OTP will be sent to the Mobile of the vehicle owner.

7. Choose date and time of affixation as per your convenience

8. Visit any of your vehicle manufacturers / dealers.

The transport department also cautioned vehicle users against affixing fake HSRPs / look alike plates / smart number plates with fake holograms / IND mark / INDIA inscribed or engraved from any open market road-side vendors. It also stated that no transaction in the RTO office such as change of ownership, address, HPA (hypothecation), HPT (hypothecation permitted), fitness etc will be permitted without the affixation of the HSRPs. The department has also mentioned that no fine will be levied on vehicles presenting valid HSRP receipts up to 30 days from the appointment date. The deadline for the HSRP affixation is October 17.

“The decision to implement the HSRPs was taken overnight which has caused distress among customers and also the small manufacturers who work in this sector. The circular issued by the Transport Department violates the Central Motor Vehicle Act and Rules, which requires the affixation of HSRPs through only the vehicle manufacturer’s dealership network, has thrown out of business around 25,000 people and their families engaged in selling number plates,” said Satish, S, president of Karnataka Vehicle Number Plate Manufacturers & Sellers Association.

He further added, “The selective four dealers overcharge for the HSRPs and provide low quality equipment which wears off easily. They charge around Rs 495 for two wheelers and Rs 785 for four wheelers, almost twice as the actual cost. This monopoly amounts to a multi crore scam.”

In fact, some of the manufacturers have also filed an affidavit in the Karnataka High Court challenging the decision to affix HSRPs from only select manufacturers and dealers.

Earlier, The Bengaluru University PG and Research Students Association had also submitted a written complaint to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging monopoly in Karnataka in allowing permission to only “four firms” for affixing the HSRPs.

The HSRP, a flagship project of The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, (MoRTH), is an aluminium-made number plate that is fixed onto a vehicle by a minimum of two non-reusable snap-on locks and has various identifiable features.

It has been made mandatory to fix them on vehicles registered before 2019, so that old number plates are not tampered with and misused by car thieves. The HSRPs comprise details like engine and chassis numbers which are stored in a centralised database. The data helps in identifying a stolen car.