LAXMI MOTOR SERVICE Vs. R T A GOA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These Writ Petitions, both directed against a Resolution passed on 29th November, 1983 by the Regional Transport Authority for Goa declining to grant several Inter-State stage carriage permits to the petitioners give rise to the same questions of law. Hence, they will be disposed of by a common judgment.

(2.) Petitioners are a firm registered under the Partnership Act, 1932 and they carry on the business of providing motor transport to the public. Their experience in such kind of business extends for over 15 years and they maintain an up-to-date garage and booking offices. They are also financially solvent and hold stage carriage permits on the Panjim-Bombay and Panjim-Poona routes. In addition, they hold permits under S.63(7) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939. By a notice published in the local newspapers on 1st December, 1982, the Directorate of Transport invited applications for grant of stage carriage permits, inter alia, on the Panjim-Belgaum route, Panjim-Bangalore route and Panjim-Mangalore route. Petitioners applied for permits on all such routes. However, the Regional Transport Authority for Goa, in its meeting held on 29th November, 1983, granted all such permits to the 7th respondent, Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd.

(3.) It is this decision of the Regional Transport Authority granting permits to the 7th respondent that is being challenged in these writ petitions.