IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P.(C) No.12656 of 2025 Chitta Ranjan Rout …. Petitioner(s)

Represented By Adv.

Mr. Braja Mohan Sarangi -versus-

RTO, Keonjhar …. Opposite Party(s)

Represented By ASC Mr. Sonak Mishra Mr. P. Behera, SC CORAM:

DR. JUSTICE S.K. PANIGRAHI

ORDER

Order 07.05.2025 No.

01. 1. This matter is taken up through hybrid arrangement.

2. In filing this Writ Petition, the Petitioner has challenged the levy of Motor Vehicle Tax and additional Motor Vehicle Tax in respect of the vehicle bearing registration No.OD-09-U-5993 (Truck) for the period from 01.2025 to 06.2025 which is claimed to be arrears, as has been uploaded in the Web-portal of the Transport Department without calling for any reply/explanation.

3. Learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that the Petitioner has not paid the arrears of the Motor Vehicle of the above noted vehicle due to some financial exigencies. He, accordingly, prays for granting necessary permission in favour of the Petitioner to deposit the amount towards arrears of the Motor Vehicle Tax and the additional Motor Vehicle Tax and file reply for waiver of penalties shown in the web-portal in respect of the aforesaid periods as per the provision under Section 13 of the Odisha Motor Vehicle Taxation Act, 1975.

4. Mr. Pravakar Behera, learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the Transport Department submits that the aforesaid tax and penalties shown in the Web portal of the Transport Department are challenged before this Court. He further contends that though no demand notice has been served on the Petitioner till today, as the Petitioner is agreed to deposit the arrears of tax and file reply for waiver of penalties, he may do so.

5. Considering the submissions made on behalf of both the parties, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case of the Petitioner, permits the Petitioner to deposit the outstanding Motor Vehicle Tax file reply before the appropriate authority within a period of four weeks from today. Upon deposit of the said amount, the authority concerned shall consider the reply of the Petitioner within a period of four weeks thereafter. 6. It is needless to observe that payment of outstanding Motor Vehicle Tax as well as additional Motor Vehicle Tax shall be accepted by the Opposite Parties and the application to be filed by the Petitioner for issuance of permit and fitness certificate in respect of the above noted vehicle shall be considered in accordance with law.

7. This Writ Petition is, accordingly, disposed of (Dr. S.K. Panigrahi)

Judge Sumitra Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed Signed by: SUMITRA NAYAK Reason: Authentication Location: HIgh Court of Orissa, Cuttack Date: 18-May-2025 15:46:29