Protesting against alleged harassment of road transport authorities while checking non-State vehicles, a group ‘Drive Without Borders’ has launched a campaign to collect one lakh signatures and submit to Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Speaking to medaipersons here on Tuesday, Bengaluru-based Waseem Memon, who was behind the group (www.facebook.com/groups/drivewithoutborders), said that they were fighting for the concept of ‘one nation, one road tax’. “If I am shifting from one State to another, why should I pay tax for the vehicle again,” he said.
Mr.Waseem had earlier challenged the Karnataka Government on the Motor Vehicle Taxation and argued that when life tax for a vehicle is paid in one State and the owner moves to another, the two States concerned should have a methodology to tackle the issue. “There should be some rationalisation and States need to come to an understanding instead of seeking taxes on non-State vehicles again,” he said.
The petition addressed to the Union Transport Minister seeking a uniform and rational policy across the country had garnered support of more than 21,000 persons, he said.
Even in Telangana, the same situation prevailed and non TS vehicles were seen with suspicion and owners harassed by the RTA, said Ekambar Rao Kodali whose car bearing UP registration was seized here in the city. “I was asked for NOC and pay taxes and despite court orders the vehicle is not released,” he said.
