(12)Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 55, the appropriate authority shall, in considering an application for a national permit, also have regard to the following matters, namely:(a)no national permit shall be issued-(i)to an individual owner if he already holds in his own name three or more valid national permits, or, when he holds valid national permits as well as valid inter-State region permits, if the aggregate number of such permits is three or more;(ii)to a company which already holds in its Own name seven or more valid national permits, or, when it holds valid national permits as well as valid inter-State region permits, if the aggregate number of such permits is seven or more;(b)other conditions being equal, preference shall be given to applicants who are ex-army personnel, [and] [Substituted for the words 'or' by the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 1978, (47 of 1978), Section 24 (d) (w.e.f. 16.1.1979).] who have valid licences for driving transport vehicles.Explanation. - In this sub-section "company" includes a body corporate.
