K VIJAY KUMAR Vs. GOVERNMENT OF A P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IN these two writ petitions, G. O. Ms. No. 148, Transport, roads and Buildings (Transport-Ill)Department, dated 24. 11. 2001, and G. O. Ms. No. 27, dated 8. 3. 2002, issued by the same department, are challenged.

(2.) THE petitioners are operators of contract carriages in the State of A. P. They engaged their vehicles for hire, by obtaining special or temporary permits, under section 87 or 88 of the Motor Vehicles Act (for short "the Act" ). Some of them have obtained All India Tourist Permits from the competent authority, for their vehicles.

(3.) VARIOUS unions of employees of a. P. State Road Transport Corporation (for short "the Corporation") have formed themselves into a Joint Action Committee, to press their demands. One of the complaints made by them was the alleged failure on the part of the Government, to curb the illicit operation of contract carriages. According to them, such operations were adversely affecting the collections for the buses of the Corporation, being operated on several routes. A general strike was called for, and it remained in force from 15. 10. 2001 to 7. 11. 2001. Settlement was arrived at, in the meeting of the representatives of the government, the Corporation and the employees. The Government agreed in principle, to curb the illicit plying and operation of contract carriages. To evolve a suitable mechanism for this purpose, the Government issued G. O. Ms. No. 148, dated 24. 11. 2001, constituting a committee to suggest the steps to be taken, to curb the illicit operations and to monitor the follow up action. The committee comprised of the officials of the departments of Transport and Police. In addition to them, the Managing Director of the Corporation and representatives of the employees of the Corporation were also included. Similar arrangement, at the city/ district level, was provided, through G. O. Ms. No. 27 dated 8. 3. 2002. The Regional managers of the concerned units were included in the district level committees.