Kashmir court stays AAI order on taxi services

Srinagar, Jun 7 (UNI) A local court here stayed an impugned order of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), renewing the license of pre-paid taxi services of an existing operator at Srinagar Airport.

The order by the First Additional District Judge, Srinagar, came on a petition filed by Tourist Taxi Operators Association, Kashmir, against an AAI order renewing the license of New Airport Taxi Stand to operate prepaid taxi services at Srinagar Airport for three more years from June 1, 2007.

The petitioner, through its counsel Mohammad Iqbal Dar, prayed that the AAI, Srinagar, Director and the Manager ATM, International Airport, Srinagar, had in 2004 executed an ''under table agreement'' with ''unrecognised and illegal'' New Airport Taxi Stand and issued a license to it without calling tenders.

The defendants had completely ignored the Tourist Taxi Operators Association which was the only recognised union in the Kashmir valley, the petition said, adding the ''illegal and unwarranted'' agreement was for three years from April 23, 2004.

The petitioner further said it had approached higher authorities in AAI and the state government to get the agreement cancelled and seek fresh tenders in this regard, but nothing had been done so far.

Despite repeated communications, the AAI extended and renewed the license of New Airport Taxi Stand for three more years, it added.

The petitioner alleged that the AAI renewed the license of New Airport Taxi Stand by flouting the rules and regulations and said the extension was based on extraneous consideration.

The petitioner has sought permanent injunction and a suit for declaration besides grant of interim relief in the matter.

After hearing the counsel for the petitioner, the court entertained the suit and stayed the AAI order and fixed June 18 as the next date of hearing in the case.

The Judge has also asked the defendants to be present in the court on the next date of hearing.

UNI