Delhi High Court Directs Delhi Govt To Consider Exempting Commercial Bus Operators From Payment Of Road Tax & Levy Of Penalty
Delhi High Court has recently directed the Delhi Govt to consider the representation of Delhi Contract Bus Association from exemption of payment of road tax & levy of penalty within a period of six weeks from the date of order.
“In case there is a direction of the Government to reopen schools/educational institutions, respondents shall consider issuing appropriate interim directions, pending consideration of the representation.”, Single Bench of Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva noted.
In the present matter, the petitioner, an association of commercial bus owners catering primarily to school, colleges & educational institutions for transporting students and staff of these institutions as well as office goers of MNCs & industrial establishment filed a petition seeking issuance of directions for the Delhi Government to grant exemptions from payment of road tax and levy of penalty even post 31.12.2020 under the provisions of Delhi Motor Vehicle Taxation Act, 1962.
The Counsel for the petitioner contended that the petitioner seeks exemptions for payment of road taxes and penalty and also refund/adjustment of the amount already paid by bus operators in view of closure of schools and work from home culture due to the lockdown.
Counsel for the Respondent, on the other hand contended that the Court vide order dated 24.12.2020 took a decision to grant exemption from payment of penalty till 31.12.2020. He further submitted that Single Bench of Justice Najmi Waziri vide order dated 11.12.2020 directed the petition filed by Indian Tourists Transporters Association for exemption from payment of tax under the Delhi Motor Vehicles Taxation Act 1963 for the entire period of Lockdown and for a further period of one year from the lifting of the Lockdown to be considered as a representation to the Govt of NCT of Delhi.
Thus, since the petitioners sought exemption from payment of road tax and levy of penalty even post 31.12.2020 the Bench while disposing of the petition further directed the present petition to be treated as a representation by the petitioner to the Delhi Government.
Case Title: Delhi Contract Bus Association V. Hon'ble Lt. Governor & Ors.