Boom time for printers ahead of polls

The printing firms in Orissa engaged in the printing of election related material like party manifestos, posters and leaflets are having a boom time ahead of the ensuing Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.

About 12-14 such printers based in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack have clocked a cumulative business of Rs 2.5-3 crore so far only through printing of election related material of the different political parties. Sources familiar with the development said that these printing firms have reported around 150 per cent jump in the volume of transactions related to the printing of the poll related material this time compared to the 2004 elections.

These printers are packed with orders from the various political parties, mainly BJD, Congress and BJP which are headed for a triangular contest in the impending twin polls in the state. The printing machines are being run for 12-14 hours every day to ensure that the orders are delivered on time.

The printers have also jacked up prices for printing by nearly 40 per cent in the past 3-4 days. They were now charging Rs 10-11 per sq ft of printed material compared to Rs 7-8 per sq ft charged earlier. While almost all the political parties including the BJD, Congress and BJP have come out with their election manifestos, the printers were now engaged in the production of party posters and leaflets.

This apart, the printers were also involved in the printing of individual manifestos and posters for the candidates in the fray for the elections. It is the BJP which took the lead in production of poll related material but the big three (BJD, Congress and BJP) are almost neck to neck in the race.