Much needed decision

The fresh orders issued by the High Court, directing the government not to demand 9% token tax from the owners of the outside registered vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir has come as a sigh of relief for the people here, who faced a lot of hardships since the directive was issued by the government in this regard. Many of the people prefer to buy vehicles from outside Jammu and Kashmir, which becomes easier for them in certain matters especially in terms of money. But, the recent directive by the government was forcing them to stop the practice, who were pleading for the revocation of the order. However, hearing a contempt petition, a division bench has granted three weeks more time to Commissioner/Secretary to Transport Department, Transport Commissioner and RTO Kashmir for filing response to the plea filed against the circular issued on June 10 this year, falling which the officers have been asked to appear in person before it on next date of hearing on December 2. Counsel for the petitioner had submitted that the authorities concerned are demanding 9% token tax from the owners of the vehicles who have applied for assignment of new registration mark in the J&K even though their vehicles are duly registered outside J&K and have already paid life time tax on them. The government should consider the directions at earliest so that those having the vehicles of outside registration, would be able to ply on the roads again and extra charges are not charged from them.