J.S.KHEHAR, J. - (1.) THE petitioners in this case are Cooperative Transport Societies. Their buses have permits to operate in District Bhiwani. The present controversy relates to the extension of the route originally allotted to the petitioners (by State Transport Authority) through the order dated 11-8-2002. Suffice it to state that the original permit granted to the petitioners authorizing them to operate on the Tosham to Devrala via Dhani, Mahu, Shimli, Sungerpur route was extended vide an order dated 12-8-2002 upto Badhra. After the extension of the route, the buses of the petitioners could ply from Tosham to Badhra vis Dhani, Mahu, Shimli, Sungerpur, Jui. The order dated 12-8-2002, passed by the State Transport Authority, needs to be extracted in this order, since it would have a bearing on the final determination of the controversy. The same is, therefore, reproduced hereunder : "Extension granted to the Buwani Khera Cooperative Transport Society."
(2.) THE society has made a demand for extension of 29 kms in its original route from Sungarpur to Badhra. The extension is granted to the society on this condition that the society will not leave any village of its original route. Besides this, the District Transport Officer shall issue offer letter only after verification of the distance. "Extension granted to the Bapora Trishul Co-operative Transport Society Limited, Bhiwani" The society had earlier taken extension of 10 Kms from Devrala to Dighava which the society wants to leave. The society is granted permission to leave the earlier extension and granted extension of 29 KMs from Sungerpur to Badhra on the condition that it will not leave any village on its original route. Besides this, the District Transport Officer shall issue offer letter only after verification of the distance.
(3.) IT is apparent from the order passed by the State Transport Authority, that the extension of the route, allowed to the petitioner, would take effect only after the verification of the distance of the extended route. For the aforesaid purpose, the State Transport Authority had directed the District Transport Officer, Bhiwani, to issue an offer letter to the petitioners only after satisfying himself that the extended route does not exceed 29 kilometers. It would be pertinent to mention, that under the one time option policy issued by the State Government, extension of a route could be allowed only upto 24 kilometers, and in addition thereto, a further five kilometers for the sole purpose of linking the terminating point of the route with an adjoining town for the convenience of the passengers.;