KOCHI: The High Court on Monday directed the government to file a statement on the allegations raised by bar owners that the Excise Commissioner had collected excess proportional fee to renew the licences of ten bars.
Justice A V Ramakrishna Pillai passed the order when the contempt of court cases against the Excise Commissioner and Taxes Secretary came up for hearing.
Special Government Pleader Tom K Thomas submitted that the state has complied with the directions of the court. The licences have been renewed to all the petitioner up to March 31 after receiving the proportionate rental fee from the licensee. The petitioners submitted that in spite of the clear directions in the order of compliance, the Excise Deputy Commissioner had collected excess fee. The state sought time to get instructions regarding the submissions made by the petitioners.