A coordination meeting was organized today at Sikkim Nationalized Transport Complex conference hall between Transport Department and All Sikkim Drivers Association Joint Action Committee regarding the high charges for installation of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP).

Minister for Transport Mr. TT Bhutia along with Director of Tonnjes Eastern Security Technologies Private Limited Mr.Prashant Puri were also present during the meet.

The meeting discussed about the high charge applied in regards to installation of HSRP and due to over costing the local taxis plying here in the state are opposing for installation of HSRP, the representatives of All Sikkim Drivers Association demanded the reduction of rates for installing new registration plates and presented a memorandum to the concerned authorities. Minister Transport Department, Mr. TT Bhutia accepted the demand put forward by the association in regards to installation of registration plates whereas the company certified for carrying out the installation of HSRP did not accept it instead informed that the cost of installation will remain the same and every vehicles has to follow the rates earlier fixed by the department in terms of HSRP.

Furthermore, Minister mentioned that department is ready to accept the association’s proposal in concern to local taxis plying across the state for installing HSRP.

Mr. Prashant Puri in his address informed that the company had bid for attaining the HSRP tender in 2008 which was approved by the State Government. During tender Government had approved Rs.1816/ for each registration plate but as the expenditure is so high the company is charging Rs.2048/ for each HSRP from the owners of vehicles. Mr. Puri further mentioned that the company had received the contact for five years from the State Government for installing HSRP in every vehicle of the state and the registration of all the vehicles across the state is proposed to be completed with in five years time.

Regarding, HSRP the drivers association and the department has been meeting for numerous times for coming out with apt solution but were left with no outcomes. And few days back department even issued an order for compulsory installation of HSRP within February which was opposed by the taxi driver’s form across the State and till date the installation procedure is not completed.

Furthermore during the meet Mr. Chungchung Bhutia, President of All Sikkim Drivers Association along with Joint Action Committee denied for installation of HSRP in case of local taxis considering the high charges in comparison to other States of the country. Mr. Bhutia said that local taxi will not install the new registration plate until and unless the charges are reduced. Department can install the HSRP number in Government and private vehicle whereas local taxi will not install HSRP at present.

Mr. Bhutia further appealed and presented a proposal to the Minister demanding to conduct a fresh tender in respect to HSRP installation in the State and also demanded that the tender should be given to the locals only.

Courtesy: Sikkim Mail

 

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