ID cards of Sri Lankan refugees issued by T.N. govt. to be accepted for registration of vehicles

The Tamil Nadu government has decided to accept the identity cards possessed by Sri Lankan Tamil refugees residing in the State as a valid document for registration of motor vehicles

The Tamil Nadu government has decided to accept the identity cards possessed by Sri Lankan Tamil refugees residing in the State as a valid document for registration of motor vehicles. The Transport Commissioner has issued a circular to Regional Transport Officers and Motor Vehicle Inspectors in this regard.

The authorities have been instructed “to accept Sri Lankan Tamils possessing identity card issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu as a valid document for registration of vehicle by Sri Lankan Tamils staying in the rehabilitation camps subject to security and other clearance that may [be] otherwise required under Rule 47 (1) (e) in respect of Sri Lankan Tamils staying in rehabilitation camps.”

The State government’s decision was made after the issue facing the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees was flagged to the Advisory Committee that was constituted to come up with durable solutions for various issues being faced by them in the State. It may be recalled a few years ago, the State government allowed the issuing of driving licence to Sri Lankan refugees staying in camps with their identity cards.

“This is a great decision by the State government and is being welcomed by Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in the State. It has been a long-time demand from them to be able to register vehicles in their names. This will help them substantially in their economic growth,” one of the members of the Advisory Committee Era. Elamparithi told The Hindu.

An informed source said the State government authorities also relied on a communication of Union Ministry of Communication to decide over vehicle registration. In January 2016, the Department of Telecommunications under the Union Ministry of Communication and Information Technology issued a communication to authorities that the Sri Lankan refugee identity cards be accepted as a valid proof of identity and proof of address document.

About 57,300 Sri Lankan refugees from over 19,600 families are living in 103 rehabilitation camps and a special camp located across Tamil Nadu. According to a study, 45% of them were born in India. While 41% of them arrived in India between 1988 and 1991, 79% of them have stayed in the country for over 30 years.