Why can't non-K'taka vehicles pay tax to use roads, asks court

The High Court on Monday ordered the Advocate General (AG) to get the government’s views within 10 days on a PIL which has challenged the imposition of life tax on non-Karnataka vehicles that ply in the State for more than 30 days.

A division bench headed by acting Chief Justice SK Mukherjee gave the order on a PIL filed by V Balamuruganathan and five others who are from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. They have challenged the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Act, 1972, which imposes heavy tax on non-Karnataka vehicles plying in the State.

The bench observed that Presidential assent was required to make any amendment to the Act. It also observed that there was a tendency among people to buy vehicles in Goa and Puducherry where tax is low and use them in other states. If that is the case, why such persons cannot pay tax in Karnataka to use roads in the State, it asked. The hearing has been adjourned until August 13, 2015.

Building in Tipu’s palace
The High Court has directed the Archaeological Survey of India, the deputy commissioner of Mandya and the chief officer of the Srirangapatna Town Municipal Council to file a report in two weeks on construction of a building which has come up in the vicinity of Daria Daulat Bagh, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace.

A division bench headed by acting Chief Justice SK Mukherjee gave the order on Monday. The petitioner, a man named Rajanikanth, contended that one Lakshmidevamma had constructed an unauthorised building in violation of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, and the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Site and remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010.