Port Blair, Oct 28: Raising the issue of further extension of permit period for all the Tourist Vehicles, once again, the Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Chief Secretary to take up this matter with the Government of India and get the extension of the permit period for all the Tourist Vehicles done to 31st March 2022.
Earlier, on 22nd September the Member of Parliament had called on the Chief Secretary, Mr. Jitendra Narain and requested him to extend the permit period following which the last date was extended to 31st October 2021 from 30 September 2021.
Once again taking up the issue, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has written a letter to the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and mentioned that because of Covid-19 Pandemic and lockdowns, the Tourism Industry of Andaman Nicobar Island suffered a heavy blow.
He added that one of the sections in Andaman Nicobar Tourism Industry, the vehicle Driver brothers and owners who have taken loans from banks to operate tourist vehicles have especially suffered heavy financial loss during this crisis time because in the last one and a half years, they couldn’t operate their tourist vehicles.
The Member of Parliament mentioned that now as the permit period for all the Tourist Vehicles to 31st October 2022, after this date tourist vehicle owners have to apply for fresh fitness and for this entire process and for this they will have to pay nearly Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 70,000 for the fitness of their vehicles.
Considering the last one and a half years, which was a severe loss period, it is impossible for any of the tourist vehicle owners to pay such a huge amount for the renewal of tourist permit, the MP added.
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma pointed out that most of these tourist vehicle operators had taken loans from the banks and are under tremendous pressure from banks to pay the EMIs, adding to that they are facing a huge challenge to run their family in this present situation. Many of these tourist vehicle driver brothers and owners are unable to pay room rent and going through extreme financial crisis.
The Member of Parliament mentioned that when there is no income at this point of time forcing these vehicle driver brothers and owners to pay around Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 70,000 for fitness works for the renewal of tourist permit will not be fair and hence he requested the Chief Secretary to take up this matter with the Government of India and get the extension of the permit period for all the Tourist Vehicles done to 31st March 2022 so that in this coming tourist season, these tour vehicle operators can earn some amount and pay for the renewable of fitness after 31st March 2022.
