Central Coalfields Ltd. vs State of Bihar (Now Jharkhand) and Others

R.K. Merathia, J.—Heard the parties.

The question involved in this case is as to whether certain type of machineries exclusively used within the enclosed premises of mine and which are not adapted for use upon roads are motor vehicles u/s 2(28) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as ''the Motor Vehicles Act'') so as to attract the payment of road tax and additional tax under the provisions of Bihar and Orissa Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1930 (hereinafter referred to as ''the Taxation Act'').

Petitioner''s case is that it is a Government Company and for the purpose of its mining activities, it uses certain machineries, such as Shovels, Trax-cavators, Cranes, Rappridozer, Excavators etc. which are not adapted for use upon roads. Petitioner''s further case is that the said machines were/are not plied on road and they ply exclusively within the enclosed premises of the mines.

Mr. A.K. Mehta submitted that the respondents have not denied that the said machines are not adapted for use upon roads. He further submitted that the respondents have also not denied that they are used only in the enclosed premises of the mine. Relying on the decision in the case of Bolani Ores Ltd., , he submitted that the machines being not suitable for use on roads cannot be said to be motor vehicles.

Mr. K. Mehta, learned G.A. appearing for the respondents could not dispute the said position. However, he submitted that if the said machines uses the public roads the road will be damaged. Therefore he submitted that petitioner should ensure that the said machines do not use public road and they are used within the enclosed premises of the mines, for the purpose of taking out the machines out of the purview of the Motor Vehicles Act.

After hearing the parties, I am satisfied that the said machines are not adapted for use upon roads and were/are used within the enclosed premises of the mines and thus cannot be held to be motor vehicles.

However, Mr. A.K. Mehta. appearing for the petitioner admitted that in view of the judgment reported in M/s. Central Coal Fields Ltd. and Others Vs. State of Orissa and others, , petitioner cannot contend that Pay-loaders, Rockers and Dumpers are not motor vehicles, which were/are treated as motor vehicles for the purpose of registration, road tax and additional taxes.

In the result, this application is allowed to the extent indicated above.