Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Corporation is not paying road tax for its 500 inter-state buses. It is reported that KSRTC pays tax only when the bus meet with road accidents. KSRTC buses are excluded from police inspection as these buses belong to public sector undertakings. But if the buses meet with accident in other states, the tax receipt should be produced to release the bus from police custody. Hence, KSRTC will only pay the tax for the bus that is involved in accident.
It will take at least three weeks to complete the procedures for the release of the vehicle. If the tax was paid regularly, the bus will be allowed to resume service within one or two weeks. But due to lapses of KSRTC in tax payment, the buses remain in police custody for many weeks until the production of tax receipt.
Inter-state buses of public undertakings have to pay tax of the respective state. Hence, KSRTC has to pay Rs 1.50 crore to the state Motor Vehicle Department for three months. This tax receipt should be produced during the inspections.
KSRTC will be able to clear the tax arrears, if relaxation of Rs 6 crore is assured for payment of tax in four quarterly instalments. Former KSRTC MD Tomin J Thachankary has requested to the government for tax relaxation. The request is under consideration of the finance department. By expecting tax relaxation, all KSRTC buses are taking service by evading the road tax.
Motor Vehicle Department has seized KSRTC buses on rent for evading road tax.
Meanwhile, KSRTCs agreement with the company Mahavoyage to take 10 scania buses for rent has expired. Neither the corporation nor the company renewed the contract.
Motor Vehicle Department has issued show cause notice to 8 scania buses of Mahavoyage operated by KSRTC.
