**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Minister of Tourism's response to a parliamentary question regarding issues faced by tourist vehicles from Kerala in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, as of December 1, 2025. It addresses concerns about vehicle detentions, fines, permit seizures, and the suspension of inter-state bus services. The document outlines actions taken to address the issues.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Vehicle Checks and Tax Collection:** Vehicles from Kerala with All India Tourist Permits operating in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were checked by authorities for state tax compliance. Vehicles were detained until taxes were paid.
* **Fines and Permit Seizures:** Tamil Nadu does not impose heavy fines. Fines are imposed according to Motor Vehicle Tax and Rules if irregularities are noticed. Permits of Kerala vehicles are not seized in Tamil Nadu if the vehicle is following the Motor Vehicle Act and Rules.
* **Actions Taken by Kerala Government:** The State Government of Kerala has taken up the matter with the Governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, requesting strengthened inspections to curb illegal practices affecting All India Tourist Permit vehicles.
* **Specific Issues Addressed:** Kerala requested addressing illegal alterations, compliance with bus body code requirements (AIS-119), misuse of permits for inter-state stage carriage, non-remittance of state taxes, and improper use of temporary permits.
* **Tamil Nadu Government Statement:** The State Government of Tamil Nadu stated that Bus Association Members have been instructed to operate by the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules and serve the public.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Kerala Tourist Vehicle Owners/Operators
**Impact:** Affected by vehicle checks, potential detentions for tax compliance, and regulations regarding vehicle alterations, permit use, and operations in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
**Action Required:** Ensure compliance with Motor Vehicle Act and Rules, pay applicable state taxes promptly, adhere to bus body code requirements (AIS-119), and avoid misuse of All India Tourist Permits.
**Stakeholder:** State Governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
**Impact:** Required to strengthen inspections of Kerala tourist vehicles operating with All India Tourist Permits.
**Action Required:** Curb illegal practices such as illegal alterations and compliance with bus body code requirements as per Automotive Industry Standard (AIS-119). Also need to monitor the misuse of All India Tourist Permit vehicles for illegal inter- state stage carriage operations, such as displaying destination boards, non-remittance of state taxes by such vehicles, and improper and repeated use of temporary or special permits.
**Stakeholder:** Bus Association Members (Tamil Nadu)
**Impact:** Subject to instructions from the Tamil Nadu government to operate and serve the public in compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules.
**Action Required:** Operate by the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: Indian government ministry responding to a parliamentary question regarding tourist vehicles.
Kerala: State from which tourist vehicles are facing issues related to fines and permit seizures.
Tamil Nadu: State imposing fines and seizing permits of tourist vehicles from Kerala.
Karnataka: State imposing fines and seizing permits of tourist vehicles from Kerala.
Motor Vehicle Act and Rules: Law referenced for imposing fines on vehicles.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.206
ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025
PROBLEMS BEING FACED BY TOURIST VEHICLES FROM KERALA
206. SHRI HIBI EDEN:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether any action has been taken to review the situation
relating to the detention and stoppage of Kerala tourist vehicles
by imposing heavy fines and seizing of permits by the States of
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka;
(b) whether the Government is aware of the suspension of inter-
state tourist bus services from Kerala to Tamil Nadu due to a
strike called by various Bus Owner Associations in Kerala; and
(c) if so, the details of the steps taken/being taken by the
Government to de-escalate the situation and ensure that such
incidents do not happen in the future?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c): Yes, as informed by State Government of Kerala, the
vehicles registered in the State of Kerala and operating on the
strength of All India Tourist Permits to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
were checked by the authorities concerned, who levied the
respective state taxes and detained the vehicles until the payment of
those taxes. It has been informed by State Government of Tamil Nadu
that no heavy fines are imposed. Fines mentioned in Motor Vehicle
Tax and Rules are imposed if any irregularities noticed. The Permits
of Kerala Vehicles are not seized in Tamil Nadu if the vehicle is plying
as per Motor Vehicle Act and Rules.
Further, State Government of Kerala has informed that they
have taken up the matter with State Governments of Karnataka and
Tamil Nadu, requesting them to strengthen inspections across theirstates to curb illegal practices affecting All India Tourist Permit
vehicles, especially with respect to illegal alterations and compliance
with bus body code requirements as per Automotive Industry
Standard (AIS-119). It has also been requested to monitor the misuse
of All India Tourist Permit vehicles for illegal inter- state stage
carriage operations, such as displaying destination boards, non-
remittance of state taxes by such vehicles, and improper and
repeated use of temporary or special permits.
It has also been stated by State Government of Tamil Nadu that
the Bus Association Members have been instructed to operate and
serve the public without violating Motor Vehicles Act and Rules.
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