The deadline given to omni buses that are registered with with other States but plying in Tamil Nadu, to re-register here, has been extended to December 16.
For quite some time, there have been complaints regarding omnibuses operating in violation of the rules in the State. Many vehicles, registered as tourist vehicles in other States were plying with non-tourist passengers in Tamil Nadu, thereby causing loss of revenue to the State, according to a press release. As this is a festive season, there were also many complaints about these vehicles over-charging passengers.
Following this, on September 27, October 18 and October 19, consultation meetings were held by the Transport Commissioner with the Omni Bus Associations and owners and special inspection committees were formed across the State and checks conducted. Based on this, 125 omnibus buses were seized. Of these, more than 85 vehicles were registered in other States, the release said.
Many vehicles have made it into a routine to pay their taxes only after they are caught and fined by the authorities during checks, the press release said. It was found that 652 vehicles registered in other States are plying in Tamil Nadu and because of these vehicles, the government is incurring a loss of ₹28.16 crore per year. After discussions, it was decided that before November 30, all such vehicles must re-register here in Tamil Nadu.
On November 6, following discussions held by the Transport Commissioner with the Omni Bus Owners Association, it was decided that deadline for re-registering the vehicles will be extended from November 30 to December 16.
