HYDERABAD: Even after clear directions from the High Court and orders from Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration (CDMA) not to collect Octroi from goods vehicles, some urban local bodies are still collecting Octroi from lorry owners in contravention of rules. Contractors in some of the ULBs like Wanaparthy, Tandur, Bhongir and other ULBs in Telangana are collecting octroi from lorry owners.
Reacting to the grievances of the Telangana Lorry Owners’ Association, the CDMA issued a circular on July 6 to all the ULBs except Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) not to collect the octrio from the owners of goods vehicles in pursuance of judgement of High Court and orders of the state government.
The CDMA directed the ULBs to book case against the contractor in case of collection of octroi.
Also, to incorporate a condition in the contract agreement of markets, not to collect octroi from the owners of goods vehicles which pass through territorial jurisdiction of various districts. To place the issue on the agenda of review meetings convened by District Collectors and Regional Director of CDMA regularly.
The Municipal Commissioners will be personally held responsible for any deviation of these instructions.CDMA officials said a meeting was convened by Transport Minister P Mahender Reddy, Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao with representatives of Telangana Lorry Owners’ Association on June 25 at Secretariat to discuss their grievances.
On the directions of the ministers, a meeting was convened a few days ago at Transport Commissioner Office, Khairatabad with officials of Police, Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD), Panchayat Raj, Commercial Taxes, Mines and other departments to hear the grievances of the Telangana Lorry Owners Association.
After discussing the issue, they reiterated to follow the judgement of the High Court and instructions of the CDMA in 2009 and 2014.