Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner M. P. Mullai Muhilan said that he cannot prevent the plying of e-rickshaws across the district. The Union government has freed e-rickshaws from permit requirements across the country. The DC said that the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 66 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, will not apply to e-rickshaws which are exempt from having permits.

Meanwhile, as per the gazette notification issued by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on August 31, 2016, e-rickshaws and e-carts have been freed from permit requirements. According to the notification, the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 66 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, will not apply to e-carts and e-rickshaws (as defined in section 2A of the said Act) that are used for carrying goods or passengers with personal luggage. This means that vehicles that are registered as e carts or e-rickshaws will not require any permits.