Rohit Kumar
Port Blair, 28 October 2021
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has written a letter to the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands requesting him to extend the permit period of all tourist vehicles till 31st March 2022.
Mr. Sharma in his letter has written that the tourist vehicle owners who have taken loans from banks to procure the vehicles have suffered heavy financial loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned that these tourist vehicle operators couldn’t operate their vehicles for the last one and a half years.
MP informed the Chief Secretary that the permit period of all Tourist Vehicles will expire by 31st October 2021 and after which the vehicle owners will have to apply for fresh fitness. He also informed that for renewal of the fitness the vehicle operators will have to spend Rs. 35,0000/- to Rs. 70,000 for the entire process.
He added that due to the heavy losses to these tourist vehicle operators, it is impossible for them to spend such a huge amount at this stage.
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma pointed out that most of the tourist vehicle operators have taken loans from the banks and are under tremendous pressure from banks to pay their EMIs. He also mentioned that these vehicle operators are also facing problems in taking care of the expenses of their families and many are not even able to afford the rent of their houses.
The Member of Parliament added that at this point of time forcing these tourist vehicle operators to spend Rs. 35,000/- to Rs. 70,000/- for fitness of their vehicles or for renewal of the tourist permit will not be fair. He requested the Chief Secretary to take up the matter with the Govt. of India and to get an extension for the tourist permit for all tourist vehicles until 31st of March 2022, so that in the coming tourist season these vehicle operators can earn some amount and pay for the renewal of their fitness after 31st March 2022.