The State Transport Department may go slow with regard to collection of lifetime tax (LTT) from non-transport vehicles (four-wheelers meant for personal use) registered outside the State, except those registered in Union Territories, including Puducherry.
Kerala Transport Commissioner R. Sreelekha held a meeting with State Transport Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy in Bangalore on Monday to discuss the alleged “harassment” of Kerala-registered vehicle owners.
Mr. Reddy told The Hindu that the department may go slow on its special drive, subject to approval by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who also holds the finance portfolio. However, the drive against Puducherry-registered vehicles would continue, he said.
Ms. Sreelekha appraised her Karnataka counterparts about the difficulties faced by vehicle owners. However, Mr. Reddy informed her about the provision for pro-rata refund of LTT if the vehicle owner intends to take the vehicle out of Karnataka. He also said the new Motor Vehicles Act being proposed by the Centre is likely to introduce a uniform tax structure.
Karnataka Transport Commissioner Rame Gowda said that Ms. Sreelekha was informed about the recent amendments to the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Rules, which makes LTT mandatory if the vehicle stays in the State for more than 30 days.
Special squad The Karnataka Transport Department has constituted a special squad to identify outstation vehicles staying in the State for more than 30 days and to collect LTT from the owners. A regional transport officer in Bangalore said LTT demanded only after confirming the duration of stay.
“We verify employment details and residential address of the vehicle owner. Only if he is working/staying in Karnataka, we demand the tax and seize the vehicle. There is no harassment at all,” the officer said.
The department has collected about Rs. 23 crore as LTT from such vehicles so far this year, he said.
