No. 148]

CHENNAI, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026

Maasi 20, Visuvaavasu, Thiruvalluvar Aandu-2057

Part II—Section 1

Notifications or Orders of specific character or of particular interest to the public

issued by Secretariat Departments.

NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT

TAMIL NADU

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

[ 1 ]

Ex-II-1—(148)

[Regd. No. TN/CCN/467/2012-14.

GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

[R. Dis. No. 197/2009.

2026

[Price: Rs. 3.20 Paise.

HOME DEPARTMENT

(TRANSPORT-I)

MODIFICATIONS IN THE NEW COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME, 2024

[G.O.Ms. No.112, Home (Transport-I), 4th March 2026, மாாசி, 20, விசுவாாவசு, திருவள்ளுவர் ஆண்டு-2057]

No. II(1)/HO/5(a-1)/2026.

WHEREAS the State Government, to insert some provisions in the New Comprehensive Scheme, 2024,

published a draft modification to the Scheme inviting objections/suggestions vide Home Department Notification

No.II (1)/HO/57(g-1)/2025 at pages 1 and 2 in Part II - Section 1 of the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette

Extraordinary, dated the 23rd December 2025;

AND WHEREAS, the objections/suggestions were received from the stakeholders, representatives of various

associations and through personal hearing conducted on 23.01.2026 on the said draft Modification to the New

Comprehensive Scheme, 2024;

The relevant major objections/suggestions received were duly considered by the Government in detail and

remarks thereto were recorded.

NOW, THEREFORE, the major raised objections/ suggestions received and the remarks of the Government

thereon are hereby published as follows:-

TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY

Serial

Number

Major Objections/

Suggestions received from the stake holders

Remarks of Government

(1)

(2)

(3)

A thirty-day window for objections does not afford

sufficient time for thorough legal and technical

analysis, falling short of the “reasonable time”

requirement.

A thirty-day time limit has been statutorily provided

under sub-section (1) of section 100 of the Motor

Vehicles Act, 1988.

The amendment is silent on whether a permit

issued by one Regional Transport Authority (RTA)

automatically covers operations in another district,

leading to operational disputes therefore

(i)

Both the originating and destination District

Transport Authorities must endorse the permit.

(ii)

A public notice shall be issued in both districts,

inviting objections at least 15 days before the

endorsement.

(iii)

The operating schedule (tentative timings)

must receive prior approval from both District

Authorities; otherwise, the permit shall be

deemed unendorsed for the portion traversing

the other district.

(iv)

Without proper dual endorsement, insurance

coverage for the inter-district segment will be

invalid, and any claims arising shall be the

sole responsibility of the operator.

The Regional Transport Authority of any one Region

may subject to the provisions of section 69 of the

Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 grant a stage carriage

permit to be valid in any other region within the

State without the countersignature of the Regional

Transport Authority of the other region as per rule

182 of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

The question of Inter-district permit may not arise in

the case of stage carriages.

Ultra vires section 102 of the Motor Vehicles Act,

1988 (lack of rule-making authority for a blanket

transfer ban).

Section 102 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

provides for cancellation or modification of a

Scheme. Therefore, it can be notified.

Violation of Article 14 (arbitrary classification,

discriminatory impact on small operators).

The Notification does not violate Article 14 of the

Constitution but provides level playing field to

the operators especially to the public to do their

business in the transport industry.

Infringement of Article 19(1)(g) (restriction on the

right to trade).

The Notification does not violate Article 19 (1) (g)

of the Constitution but provides level playing field

to the operators especially to the public to do their

business in the transport industry without any

limitation of permits, if needed.

Define “Un-served Sectors” - Adopt a quantitative

definition (e.g., routes with a passenger load factor

below 30% for six consecutive months).

“The unserved route” has already been defined

under the New Comprehensive Scheme, 2024.

Upload every amendment and route notification to

the official Transport Department website at least

fifteen days before Gazette publication, with proof of

circulation to all registered associations.

All the transparent publication as required under

the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Rules will be

followed.

Explicitly state that routes classified as “un-served”

under the previous scheme will not be retroactively

treated as “served” unless a fresh feasibility study

confirms viability.

The application will be considered as per the New

Comprehensive Scheme, 2024 as on the date of

Notification of route.

When the matter is sub-judicial before the Hon’ble

High Court the said scheme cannot be tinkered with

any further.

W.P.No.18184 of 2025 has been dismissed by the

Hon’ble High Court of Madras in its Common Order,

dated 25.09.2025.

TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY

Serial

Number

Major Objections/

Suggestions received from the stake holders

Remarks of Government

(1)

(2)

(3)

மலைைப்பகுதியில் மினிப்பேேருந்து சேே‚வைையினைை‰ குறைைந்தது

50 கி.மீ தூரம் அனுமதிக்க வே�ண்டும், 50 கி.மீல் 65

சதவீதம் சர்வ்டு ஆகவும் மீதம் 35 சதவீதம் அன்சர்வ்டு

ஆகவும் வழங்கவே�ண்டும்.

Already, 30km is being provided as an route length

for hilly areas instead of 25 kms allowed otherwise.

Further extension is not considered necessary at

present.

வழித்தடம்

கிராமபுற

மக்களுக்கு

பேேருந்து

வசதி

இல்லாத நிலைையில் உள்ளதா அல்லது ஏற்கனவே�

பேேருந்து வசதி இல்லைையாா என்று கள ஆய்வாாளர்களால்

கண்டறியப்பட்டு பேேருந்து வசதி இல்லாத பகுதியில்

வழங்கப்பட வே�ண்டும்.

The permit will be issued as per the conditions/

provisions laid down in the New Comprehensive

Scheme, 2024.

While granting New mini Bus if the New Route

overlaps with Existing Route, RTO/ RTA shall

consider the representation along with TNSTC to

safeguard the Existing Operator.

This objections may be put forth before the Regional

Transport Authority whenever a new route is notified

in the District Gazette. More over the enforcement

officials will watch the operation of mini buses as

per the provisions in the New Comprehensive

Scheme, 2024.

NOTIFICATION –II

[G.O.Ms.No.112, Home (Transport-I), 4th March 2026, மாாசி, 20, விசுவாாவசு, திருவள்ளுவர் ஆண்டு-2057]

No. II(1)/HO/5(a-2)/2026.

Whereas, the Government of Tamil Nadu have considered the draft modification to the New Comprehensive

Scheme, 2024, published in Home Department Notification No.II(1)/HO/57(g-1)/2025 at pages 1 and 2 of in

Part II - Section 1 of the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Extraordinary, dated the 23rd December 2025

and after considering the objections, suggestions and representations thereto made through petitions and in

person, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 102 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

(Central Act 59 of 1988), the State Government hereby approve the following Modification to the New Comprehensive

Scheme, 2024:-

MODIFICATION.

In the said New Comprehensive Scheme, 2024, in the Schedule, -

(1) against serial number 2, under the heading “Starting/Terminal Point” in column (3), to clause (b), the

following proviso shall be added, namely:-

“Provided that the maximum route length shall be up to 30 Km where more than half of the operational

area or the notified route for the operation of mini bus is under the hill areas as specified by the Regional

Transport Authority/District Collector.”;

(2) against serial number 4, under the heading “Salient Features of the Scheme” in column (3),-

(a) to clause (III), the following proviso shall be added, namely:-

“Provided that the maximum route length shall be up to 30 Km where more than half of the operational area

or the notified route for the operation of mini bus is under the hill areas as specified by the Regional Transport

Authority/District Collector.”;

(b) to clause (IV), the following proviso shall be added, namely:-

“Provided that the minimum un-served route length shall not be less than 50% of the total route length where

more than half of the operational area or the notified route for the operation of mini bus is under the hill areas

as specified by the Regional Transport Authority/District Collector.”;

“Provided that the maximum route length shall be up to 30 Km where more than half of the operational area

or the notified route for the operation of mini bus is under the hill areas as specified by the Regional Transport

Authority/District Collector:

TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY

Provided further that the minimum un-served route length shall not be less than 50% of the total route length

where more than half of the operational area or the notified route for the operation of mini bus is under the hill

areas as specified by the Regional Transport Authority/District Collector.”.

Explanatory Note

In consideration of the proposal of the Regional Transport Authority/District Collector, The Nilgiris District, this

modification is issued to clause (b) under the heading “Starting/Terminal Point” and clauses (III), (IV) and (VI) under the

heading “Salient Features of the Scheme” in the Schedule to the New Comprehensive Scheme, 2024, to improve last

mile - connectivity in hill areas specified by the Regional Transport Authority/District Collector, published for the

mini buses plying in the entire State of Tamil Nadu vide G.O.(Ms).No.198, Home (Transport-I) Department, dated

28.04.2025.

[G.O.Ms.No.113, Home (Transport-I), 4th March 2026, மாாசி, 20, விசுவாாவசு, திருவள்ளுவர் ஆண்டு-2057]

No. II(1)/HO/5(a-3)/2026.

WHEREAS the State Government, to insert some provisions in a New Comprehensive Scheme, 2024,

published a draft modification to the Scheme inviting objections/suggestions vide Home Department Notification

No.II (1)/HO/57(g-2)/2025 at pages 2 and 3 in Part II - Section 1 of the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette

Extraordinary, dated the 23rd December 2025;

AND WHEREAS, the objections/suggestions were received from the stakeholders, representatives of

various associations and through personal hearing conducted on 23.01.2026 on the said draft Modification to the

New Comprehensive Scheme, 2024;

The relevant major objections/suggestions received were duly considered by the Government in detail and

remarks thereto were recorded.

NOW, THEREFORE, the major raised objections/suggestions received and the remarks of the Government

thereon are hereby published as follows:-

Serial

Number

Major Objections/

Suggestions received from the stake holders

Remarks of Government

(1)

(2)

(3)

The amendment is silent on whether the entire tenure

of a migrated permit (i.e., the period already served

under the previous Scheme) will be treated as served

or un-served for the purpose of the five-year lock-in,

jeopardising vested rights and contravening the doctrine

of legitimate expectation.

It has been clearly laid down in the draft that

“new permit holder/grantee under this clause

shall not transfer the permit within five years of

its grant”. It is applicable to the permits granted

under the proposed amendment clause of New

Comprehensive Scheme, 2024. The restriction

does not apply to permits already in force.

Replacing the transparent lottery system with applicant-

identified routes removes an objective allocation

mechanism, opens the process to favouritism and

unhealthy competition, thereby violating Article 14 of the

Constitution.

The transparent lottery system will continue to be

applicable for applications which are received for

the routes identified and notified by the Regional

Transport Authority. The transparent lottery

system is not replaced.

Allowing operators to select routes without a prior

feasibility study ignores the economic realities of rural

areas, rendering many permits financially unsustainable.

The route identified by the applicant would be

scrutinised as per the New Comprehensive

Scheme, 2024 by the authorities concerned and

then notified in the District Gazette after it satisfies

the Scheme.

TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY

Serial

Number

Major Objections/

Suggestions received from the stake holders

Remarks of Government

(1)

(2)

(3)

Operators who availed of the benefits under the Special

Provision Act 41 of 1992 are not exempted from the new

applicant-route clause, nullifying statutory protection

and rendering the amendment ultra vires.

The grant of mini bus permit will not affect

the stage carriage operators protected under

Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles (Special Provisions)

Act, 1992 (Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1992). The mini

bus permit will be effected in accordance with New

Comprehensive Scheme, 2024 and the proposed

amendment thereon. Hence, the stage carriage

operators are not affected and clearly excluded in

the New Comprehensive Scheme, 2024.

Mandatory publication of every newly identified route

in the District Gazette imposes excessive paperwork,

especially on small operators in remote districts,

contravening the principle of proportionality.

Publication of routes in the District Gazette is

mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Therefore, the same has been provided.

A thirty-day window for objections does not afford

sufficient time for thorough legal and technical analysis,

falling short of the “reasonable time” requirement.

A thirty-day time limit has been statutorily provided

under sub-section (1) of section 100 of the Motor

Vehicles Act, 1988.

The amendment is silent on whether a permit issued by

one Regional Transport Authority (RTA) automatically

covers operations in another district, leading to

operational disputes therefore

(i) Both the originating and destination District Transport

Authorities must endorse the permit.

(ii) A public notice shall be issued in both districts, inviting

objections at least 15 days before the endorsement.

(iii) The operating schedule (tentative timings) must

receive prior approval from both District Authorities;

otherwise, the permit shall be deemed unendorsed for

the portion traversing the other district.

(iv) Without proper dual endorsement, insurance

coverage for the inter-district segment will be invalid,

and any claims arising shall be the sole responsibility

of the operator.

The

Regional

Transport

Authority

any

one Region may subject to the provisions

of section 69 of the Motor Vehicles Act,

1988 grant a stage carriage permit to be

valid in any other region within the State without

the countersignature of the Regional Transport

Authority of the other region as per rule 182 of

the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The

question of Inter district permit may not arise in the

case of stage carriages.

The existing Scheme recognises three categories

(Category 1 1997/1999 new mini-bus permits, Category

II migration applications, Category III comprehensive

permits). The draft introduces a fourth category without

defining its scope, eligibility or operational parameters,

generating confusion.

There is no such categorisation of permits as

claimed.

Ultra vires section 102 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

(lack of rule-making authority for a blanket transfer ban).

Section 102 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

provides for cancellation or modification of a

Scheme. Therefore, it can be notified.

Violation

Article

(arbitrary

classification,

discriminatory impact on small operators).

The Notification does not violate Article 14 of the

Constitution but provides level playing field to

the operators especially to the public to do their

business in the transport industry.

Infringement of Article 19(1)(g) (restriction on the right

to trade).

The Notification does not violate Article 19 (1)

(g) of the Constitution but provides level playing

field to the operators especially to the public to do

their business in the transport industry without any

limitation of permits, if needed.

TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY

Serial

Number

Major Objections/

Suggestions received from the stake holders

Remarks of Government

(1)

(2)

(3)

Define “Un-served Sectors” - Adopt a quantitative

definition (e.g., routes with a passenger load factor

below 30% for six consecutive months).

“The unserved route” has already been defined

under the New Comprehensive Scheme, 2024.

Allow permit transfer on bona-fide grounds (death,

disability, insolvency) subject to Regional Transport

Authority approval.

In case of death, the permit may be transferred

to legal heirs as per the provisions of the Motor

Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Rules.

Upload every amendment and route notification to the

official Transport Department website at least fifteen

days before Gazette publication, with proof of circulation

to all registered associations.

All the transparent publication as required under

the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Rules will

be followed.

Explicitly state that routes classified as “un-served”

under the previous scheme will not be retroactively

treated as “served” unless a fresh feasibility study

confirms viability.

The application will be considered as per the New

Comprehensive Scheme, 2024 as on the date of

notification of route.

When the matter is sub-judicial before the Hon’ble High

Court the said scheme cannot be tinkered with any

further.

W.P.No.18184 of 2025 has been dismissed by

the Hon’ble High Court of Madras in its Common

Order, dated 25.09.2025.

வருடங்களுக்கு

பெெயர்

மாாற்றம்

செெய்யக்கூடாது

என்ற அறிவிப்பு ஏற்புடைையதல்ல. உரிமைையாாளர்களுக்கு

உடல்நலக்குறைைவு மற்றும் எதிர்பாரா�த தருணங்களில் அந்த

வழித் தடத்தில் வாாகனம் இயக்குவதில் தடங்கல் ஏற்படும்.

It has been considered to reduce the period from

5 years to 2 years.

வழித்தடம் கிராமபுற மக்களுக்கு பேேருந்து வசதி இல்லாத

நிலைையில் உள்ளதா அல்லது ஏற்கனவே� பேேருந்து வசதி

இல்லைையாா என்று கள ஆய்வாாளர்களால் கண்டறியப்பட்டு

பேேருந்து வசதி இல்லாத பகுதியில் வழங்கப்பட வே�ண்டும்.

The permit will be issued as per the conditions/

provisions laid down in the New Comprehensive

Scheme, 2024.

பேேருந்து வசதி அல்லாத கிராமபுற தடத்தினைை‰ ஆய்வு

செெய்து மனுதாரர்கள் மனு செெய்யும் போ�ோது ஒன்றுக்கு

மே�ற்ப்பட்ட மனுக்கள் பெெறப்படுமாாயின் அதனைை‰ முந்தைைய

அரசாணை�யில் தெெரிவிக்கப்பட்ட படி குலுக்கல் முறைையில்

தான் தே�ர்வு செெய்து அனுமதி சீட்டு வழங்கப்பட வே�ண்டும்.

The applications will be considered on the basis of

first come first served, for the new routes identified

by the applicant. Lottery system will be used for

multiple applications for the routes identified by

Regional Transport Authority.

While granting New mini Bus if the New Route over

laps with Existing Route, RTO/ RTA shall consider the

representation along with TNSTC to safe guard the

Existing Operator.

This objection may be put forth before the

Regional Transport Authority whenever a new

route is notified in the District Gazette. Moreover,

the enforcement officials will watch the operation

of mini buses as per the provisions in the New

Comprehensive Scheme, 2024.

NOTIFICATION – II

[G.O.(Ms) No.113, HOME (Transport-I), 4th March 2026, மாாசி, 20, விசுவாாவசு, திருவள்ளுவர் ஆண்டு-2057]

No. II(1)/HO/5(a-4)/2026.

Whereas, the Government of Tamil Nadu have considered the draft modification to the New Comprehensive

Scheme, 2024 published in Home Department Notification No.II(1)/HO/57(g-2)/2025 at pages 2 and 3 of in

Part II - Section 1 of the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Extraordinary, dated the 23rd December 2025

and after considering the objections/suggestions and representations thereto made through petitions and in

person, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 102 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

(Central Act 59 of 1988), the State Government hereby approve the following Modification to the New Comprehensive

Scheme, 2024:-

TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY

MODIFICATION

In the said New Comprehensive Scheme 2024, in the Schedule, against serial number 4, under the heading

“Salient Features of the Scheme” in column (3), after clause (VI), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:-

“ (VI-A) Identification of new routes by applicants:

(i) Apart from the routes identified and notified in the District Official Gazette by the Regional Transport

Authority, where a person has identified a new route for mini bus service and request the Regional Transport

Authority to grant him permit for that route newly identified by him, the Regional Transport Authority shall grant

permit to such person after satisfying that all the relevant conditions or provisions laid down under the said

Scheme are fulfilled and satisfied and that the said route was notified in the District Gazette:

Provided that such person shall make an application for permit in Form Stage Carriage Permit Application

(SCPA) after the route was notified in the District Gazette:

Provided further that if more than one application is received for the same identified new route, the applications

shall be considered on a first come first served basis:

Provided also that the new permit holder/grantee under this clause shall not transfer the permit within two

years of its grant.

(ii) If the applicant fails to produce the valid records of the vehicle within ninety days, the Regional

Transport Authority shall revoke its sanction as per sub rule (b) of rule 181 of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles

Rules, 1989”.

Explanatory Note

The New Comprehensive Scheme, 2024 has been published with an objective to improve the accessibility

of bus services in urban and rural areas and to ensure last mile connectivity. Since the process of identification

of route and notifying the same in the District Official Gazette requires improvement by inviting more number of

applications for grant of mini bus permits, the present modification is made in the larger interests of the public.

DHEERAJ KUMAR,

Additional Chief Secretary to Government.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF STATIONERY AND PRINTING, CHENNAI

ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU