The court emphasized the importance of considering pending applications for stage carriage permits in accordance with the law and directed the Regional Transport Authority to do so.

JUDGMENT

Manoj Kumar Tiwari, J. - By means of this writ petition, petitioners have sought the following relief:

"i- A writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus commanding the Respondents, particularly to the Respondent No. 3 to take a final decision in pending applications of Petitioners moved under section 80 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 seeking permit to ply their stage carrier buses in KichhaSitarganj-Nanaksagar-Khatima-Melaghat."

2. According to the petitioners, they moved applications for grant of stage carriage permit. It is further the case of the petitioners that such applications were moved on 07.12.2020.

3. Regional Transport Officer, Haldwani has issued a notification, according to which, a meeting of Regional Transport Authority is scheduled for 04.03.2021, in which applications received on or after 14.01.2020 are to be considered. According to the petitioners, since they have moved applications in the month of December, 2020, therefore, their applications are liable to be considered, even according to the said notification.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioners confines his prayer and submits that the Regional Transport Authority be directed to consider petitioners' applications, in accordance with law.

5. Learned Brief Holder appearing for respondents have no objection, if such direction is issued.

6. Accordingly, writ petition is disposed of with a direction to Regional Transport Authority, Haldwani to consider petitioners' applications for grant of stage carriage permit, in its next meeting, provided petitioners fulfill all conditions of eligibility.

7. Let a certified copy of this order be issued within 24 hours.