Cess/toll collection for using NHs, SHs challenged

Bangalore, Jan 31 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court today issued notices to the Union and State Governments and the National Highways Authority of India on a public interest litigation, seeking an order that the Governments had no authority to levy cess or toll on users of National Highways/State Highways under the Motor Vehicle Taxation Act as the same had already been paid by the vehicle owners.

Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Mr Justice B S Patil admitted the PIL, filed by social worker Krishna Bhat of Bangalore, and issued the notices.

The petitioner argued that in the name of providing infrastructure, revenue was raised under various heads by the Governments in addition to the Road Tax already collected. He contended that toll was collected for using many highways like the one from Bangalore to Tumkur and Hassan. Besides, one Rupee cess was being collected for every litre of petrol/diesel under the Central Road Fund Act, 2000, and cess for Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit System at the rate of five per cent of tax levied under Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Act for vehicles within the limits of Bangalore