Court affirmed the obligation of authorities to expedite decisions on transportation permit applications.

JUDGMENT

This Court, by Ext.P2 judgment, directed the

1^st respondent to consider the joint application of the petitioners for transfer of regular permit on the route Kottayam - Ettumanoor in respect of stage carriage bearing Registration No.KL-05/Z-0025 and to pass orders thereon in accordance with law, either in the next RTA Board meeting or at any rate, within two months from the date of receipt of a copy of that judgment.

2. Pursuant to Ext.P2, the 1^st respondent issued Ext.P3 order by circulation stating that the petitioners/applicants have not submitted the statement required by Rule 178(2) of the Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules , 1989 making full disclosure along with the anterior agreement entered between them. It is further stated therein that the enquiry report is not complete and hence a detailed enquiry is necessary. Accordingly, the consideration of the application was adjourned by the 1^st respondent. The petitioners have writ petition for a direction to the 1^st respondent to pass final orders pursuant to Ext.P3 and to allow the transfer of permit forthwith.

3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Pleader for the respondents.

4. It is submitted by the learned Government Pleader that the application of the petitioners for transfer of permit pursuant to Ext.P3 will be placed before the next RTA meeting and orders will be passed thereon expeditiously.

Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of directing the 1^st respondent to pass orders on the application of the petitioners for transfer of permit expeditiously, at any rate, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. The 1^st respondent shall ensure that the enquiry as referred to in Ext.P3 is completed without any delay.