AIADMK condemns Govt for fixing 7-year life for tourist cars

Chennai, Dec 3 (UNI) AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today condemned the DMK Government for fixing seven-year life for tourist cars and vans in the state and announced an agitation tomorrow, demanding withdrawal of the order.

In a statement here, she said the DMK Government, through a circular dated November 22, had reduced the life of these vehicles from the existing 20 years under rule 169A of the Motor Vehicles Act.

This would render 80 per cent of the tourist cars and vans useless and hit the industry very badly. Besides the owners, those directly and indirectly employed in the industry like drivers and mechanics would be severely affected by the government decision.

Almost all the owners had purchased the vehicles on loan and they would take a minimum of five to seven years to repay the loan, she pointed out.

If the vehicles were rendered useless after seven years, they would be put to hardship. They would also be forced to fix higher tariff for those who wished to hire the vehicles to visit places, she said.

To demand the government to recall the circular, the AIADMK would organise an agitation tomorrow on behalf of the party unit in Tirunelveli in front of the railway station there.

The agitation would be led by 'Jayalalithaa Peravai' Secretary N Thalavi Sundaram, she said and appealed to those who were engaged in the trade and general public to take part in the stir and extend their support.

UNI