Petitioner can be described as a "fleet owner" in bus transport business since he was operating nine stage carriage services on different routes. As the period of permits of four stage carriages was nearing expiry, petitioner applied for renewal of those permits. The applications were considered by the Regional Transport Authority (for short 'the Transport authority') under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (for short 'the next Act') and found that in view of S.71(4) of the new Act he is not entitled to get renewal of the permits. The Transport Authority pointed out another hurdle against the petitioner. Tahsildar of the locality had issued prohibitory orders against transfer of four vehicles of the petitioner and revenue recovery proceedings have been initiated for arrears of tax in respect of some of his vehicles. Those developments dissuaded the Transport Authority from granting renewal in view of S.81(4) of the new Act. Applications for renewal were accordingly rejected. Petitioner filed an appeal before the State Transport Appellate Tribunal (for short'the Tribunal') challenging the order of the Transport Authority. The Tribunal held that S.71(4) of th