[Resolved]  Hyundai Motors And Mumbai Rto — Is PIO Card Not Accepted for Purchasing a Car in India

Address:

Maharashtra

Hello Sir/Madam,
I am an NRI from the US holding US Citizenship with a valid PIO card and going through a very difficult situation since last 2 months to purchase a small car from Hyundai car showroom.

I spend 3-4 months a year in India and have never had any problem entering/leaving the country with my valid US passport and PIO card. In India I possess properties, valid NRO/NRE bank accounts, have monthly rental income and file IT returns every year regularly. To purchase my car I have taken car loan from a finance company which has been approved, paid to the dealer and I paid my portion of the payment to make a 100% payment to the Hyundai dealer.

I was informed by my car dealer that while registering or taking a car through RTO it requires citizenship/nationality proof and since I do not have Indian citizenship, voters ID nor LIC premium the RTO officer is not able to register my car. To support this I have asked them to provide a copy of my US passport and PIO card, however, dealer thinks RTO rule will not accept these documents and allow me to register the car in my name. The car loan is in my name so there's no way I can change the booking to another name.

First of all, I was NEVER told about the above process while booking the car 2 months ago (Feb 2nd 2010) and Hyundai said this rule is in effect since last 1 week (April 1st week 2010). While booking my car I have provided Hyundai the sale agreement and possession letter of my apartment where I currently live and use as my Indian local address, NRE/NRO 12 month bank statement, current paid electricity and MTNL phone bill, current paid society maintenance bill to prove my authenticity.

Till now I am in the belief that with legal documents mentioned above, Indian government does not bar anyone to conduct business or restrict from purchasing things like property, cars with few exceptions. According to Maruti website any NRI can book a car and I am wondering how are those cars getting registered.

I am frantically trying to find a government agency who can give me the right answer. If it's legal for any foreign nationals to purchase a property in India why they are barred from purchasing a car?

IWhat other documents can I help RTO with?

Your response will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Best regards
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