W.P.(C) Nos. 33774/2018 & connected cases (batch petitions by Kaifan Bus Service, M/S Umma Transport, Chamayil Travels, Reena Travels, U.P. Brothers, Muhammed Kutty T., Kaipram Bus Service, M/S Peoples Travels, P.K. Brothers Bus Service, Abdurahiman, G & M Transporting Co. etc.) v. Regional Transport Officer and others

``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V FRIDAY, THE 17 [ TH ] DAY OF MARCH 2023 / 26TH PHALGUNA, 1944 ``` ## **`WP(C) NO. 33774 OF 2018`** ## **`PETITIONER:`** ``` KAIFAN BUS SERVICE PAKARA P.O., THANALLOOR, MALAPPURAM, REPRESENTED BY PROPRIETOR M. CHEKKU, BY ADV K.V.GOPINATHAN NAIR ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** ``` 1 THE REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER, MALAPPURAM - 676 505 2 THE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OFFICER KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS WELFARE FUND BOARD, MALAPPURAM-676505. 3 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, ERANJIPPALAM, KOZHIKODE-673006. BY ADVS. SRI.PRATHEESH, SC, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKER WELFARE FUND BOARD DR.ABRAHAM P.MEACHINKARA, SC, EPF ORG. ``` ``` SMT RESHMITHA R CHANDRAN, GP ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.03.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).3529/2019, AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 2 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V FRIDAY, THE 17 [ TH ] DAY OF MARCH 2023 / 26TH PHALGUNA, 1944 ``` ## **`WP(C) NO. 3529 OF 2019`** ## **`PETITIONER:`** ``` M/S.UMMA TRANSPORT MATTATHUR P.O, MUNAMBATH, KOTTAKKAL, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGER, M. MAYINKUTTY, AGED 69 YEARS, S/O. AVARU. ``` ``` BY ADV SAJU J.VALLYARA ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** ``` 1 THE REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER MALAPPURAM, PIN-676 505 2 THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, ERANHIPALAM P.O, KOZHIKODE-673 006 3 THE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OFFICER KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKER'S WELFARE, FUND BOARD, MALAPPURAM, PIN-676 504 ``` ``` BY ADVS. SRI.PRATHEESH, SC, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKER WELFARE FUND BOARD GOVERNMENT PLEADER ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 3 ``` DR ABRAHAM P MACHINKARA, SC SMT RESHMITHA R CHANDRAN, GP ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.03.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).33774/2018 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 4 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V FRIDAY, THE 17 [ TH ] DAY OF MARCH 2023 / 26TH PHALGUNA, 1944 ``` ## **`WP(C) NO. 5498 OF 2023`** ## **`PETITIONER:`** ``` G & M TRANSPORTING CO. AGED 56 YEARS REPRESENTED BY EMMANUEL SURRAO, S/O PLINTON SURRAO, MANAGING PARTNER, HO: 3RD FLOOR, LANDMARK ENCLAVE, S.A.ROAD, COCHIN, PIN - 682016 BY ADVS. K.S.SMITHA G.HARIHARAN PRAVEEN.H. T.T.SHANIBA M.V.VIPINDAS AMAL DEV D NIKITA NAIR C.S. REVATHI P.M. ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** ``` 1 * THE JOINT REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER SUB REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICE, N.H. BYE-PASS, ALUVA, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, PIN - 683101 * NAME AND ADDRESS OF R1 IS CORRECTED AS REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER, 2ND FLOOR, A3 BLOCK, CIVIL STATION, KAKKANAD, ERNAKULAM, PIN-682030 AS PER ORDER DATED 06.07.2023 IN IA 1/2023 IN ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 5 ``` W.P.C 5498/2023 ``` ``` 2 THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER OFFICE OF THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, KALOOR, KOCHI, PIN - 682017 3 THE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OFFICER KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS WELFARE FUND, SRM ROAD, ERNAKULAM NORTH, PIN - 682018 4 NATIONAL INFORMATICS CENTRE CIVIL STATION, THRIKKAKARA, KAKKANAD, KERALA REPRESENTED BY ITS AUTHORIZED OFFICER, PIN - 682030 ``` ``` SMT RESMITHA R CHANDRAN, GP DR ABRAHAM P MAECHINKARA SC SRI V JOHN MANI, SC ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.03.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).33774/2018 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 6 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V FRIDAY, THE 17 [ TH ] DAY OF MARCH 2023 / 26TH PHALGUNA, 1944 ``` ## **`WP(C) NO. 5443 OF 2019`** ## **`PETITIONER:`** ``` CHAMAYIL TRAVELS A.K. QUARTERS, CHELAMBRA, THIRURANGADI TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-673634, REPRESENTED BY ITS PROPRIETOR FAIZAL, AGED 48 YEARS, S/O. HASSAN, ETAKKAYIKKATUVALATH HOUSE,CHELAMBRA P.O, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-673634. ``` ``` BY ADV K.MOHAMMED RAFEEQ ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** ``` 1 REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER CIVIL STATION CAMPUS, UP HILL, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-676505. 2 SUB REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER, TIRURANGADI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-676306. 3 REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER, CIVIL STATION, KOZHIKKODE DISTRICT-673020 4 THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, ERANHIPPALAM P.O, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT-673006. ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 7 ``` 5 DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OFFICER, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS WELFARE FUND, MALAPPURAM-676505. ``` ``` BY ADV SRI.PRATHEESH, SC, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKER WELFARE FUND BOARD ``` ``` DR ABRAHAM P MAECHINKARA SC ``` ``` SMT RESHMITHA R CHANDRAN GP ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.03.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).33774/2018 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 8 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V FRIDAY, THE 17 [ TH ] DAY OF MARCH 2023 / 26TH PHALGUNA, 1944 ``` ## **`WP(C) NO. 5478 OF 2019`** ## **`PETITIONER:`** ``` REENA TRAVELS, PARAMMAL HOUSE, KUTTIPPURAM P.O, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT- 679 571, REPRESENTED BY ITS PROPRIETOR KUNHUMUHAMMED, AGED 54 YEARS, S/O. HAMZA, PARAMMAL HOUSE, KUTTIPPURAM P.O, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT 679 571. ``` ``` BY ADV K.MOHAMMED RAFEEQ ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** |`1`|`REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER,`| |---|---| ||`CIVIL STATION, CAMPUS, UP HILL, MALAPPURAM`| ||`DISTRICT 676 505.`| |`2`|`SUB REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER,`| ||`TIRUR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT 676 101.`| |`3`|`SUB REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER,`| ||`PONNANI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT 679 577`| |`4`|`THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER,`| ||`EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION,`| ||`BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, ERANHIPPALAM P.O,`| ||`KOZHIKODE DISTRICT 673 006.`| ## W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 9 ``` 5 DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OFFICER, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS WELFARE FUND, MALAPPURAM - 676 505. BY ADV SRI.PRATHEESH, SC, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKER WELFARE FUND BOARD DR ABRAHAM P MAECHINKARA, SC SMT RESHMITHA R CHANDRAN, GP ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.03.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).33774/2018 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 10 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V FRIDAY, THE 17 [ TH ] DAY OF MARCH 2023 / 26TH PHALGUNA, 1944 ``` ## **`WP(C) NO. 5510 OF 2019`** ## **`PETITIONER:`** ``` U.P.BROTHERS BUILDING NO.II/210 AB, MUTTIKKAD, ANANTHAVOOR P.O., THIRUNAVAYA VIA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT - 676 301, REPRESENTED BY ITS PROPRIETOR ISMAIL, AGED 57 YEARS, S/O.MAMMU, VETTAN HOUSE, ANANTHAVOOR P.O., THIRUNAVAYA VIA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT - 676 301. ``` ``` BY ADV K.MOHAMMED RAFEEQ ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** ``` 1 REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER CIVIL STATION CAMPUS, UP HILL, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT - 676 505. 2 SUB REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER TIRURANGADI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT - 676 306. 3 THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, ERANHIPALAM P.O., KOZHIKODE DISTRICT - 673 006. ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 11 ``` 4 DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OFFICER KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS WELFARE FUND, MALAPPURAM - 676 505. ``` ``` BY ADV SRI.PRATHEESH.P ``` ``` DR ABRAHAM P MAECHINKARA, SC SMT RESHMITHA R CHANDRAN, GP ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.03.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).33774/2018 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 12 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V FRIDAY, THE 17 [ TH ] DAY OF MARCH 2023 / 26TH PHALGUNA, 1944 ``` ## **`WP(C) NO. 8293 OF 2019`** ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** ``` ABDURAHIMAN, AGED 75 YEARS S/O. AHAMMED KUTTY, KARUMUDIKKAL HOUSE, PULLANCHEERI, MANJERI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT. BY ADV M.JITHESH MENON ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** ``` 1 THE REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER (TAXATION OFFICER) REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICE, MALAPPURAM PIN 686 505. 2 THE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OFFICER, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS WELFARE FUND BOARD, MALAPPURAM, UPHILL, MALAPPURAM-676 505 3 THE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OFFICER, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS WELFARE FUND BOARD, KOZHIKODE, KURDF, CORPORATION BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR, WEST HILL P.O, KOZHIKODE, PIN- 673 011. BY ADV SRI.PRATHEESH, SC, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKER WELFARE FUND BOARD ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 13 ``` SMT RESHMITHA R CHANDRAN, GP ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.03.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).33774/2018 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 14 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V FRIDAY, THE 17 [ TH ] DAY OF MARCH 2023 / 26TH PHALGUNA, 1944 ``` ## **`WP(C) NO. 10979 OF 2019`** ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** ``` MUHAMMED KUTTY T. AGED 35 YEARS S/O. UNNEEN, THOPPASSERI HOUSE, PUTTATHADAM, VALIYAPARAMBU, PULIKKAL, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT - 673 638 BY ADV K.MOHAMMED RAFEEQ ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** ``` 1 THE REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER CIVIL STATION ROAD, UP HILL, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT - 676 505 2 DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OFFICER KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS WELFARE FUND, MALAPPURAM - 676 505 3 THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, ERANHIPPALAM P.O., KOZHIKODE DISTRICT -673 006 BY ADVS. SRI.M.T.SURESH KUMAR, SC, CISCE ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 15 ``` SRI PRATHEESH P, SC DR ABRAHAM P MAECHINKARA, SC SMT RESHMITHA R CHANDRAN, GP ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.03.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).33774/2018 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 16 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V FRIDAY, THE 17 [ TH ] DAY OF MARCH 2023 / 26TH PHALGUNA, 1944 ``` ## **`WP(C) NO. 13419 OF 2019`** ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** ``` KAIPRAM BUS SERVICE KAIPRAN HOUSE, VALIYERA.P.O, VENGARA, MALAPPURAM, KERALA-676604. ``` ``` BY ADV K.MOHAMMED RAFEEQ ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** ``` 1 REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER CIVIL STATION CAMPUS, UP HILL, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-676505 2 SUB REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER, TIRURANGADI, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT-676306 3 THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, ERANHIPPALAM.P.O, KOZHIKKODE DISTRICT-673006 4 DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OFFICER, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS WELFARE FUND, MALAPPURAM-676505. ``` ``` BY ADV SRI.PRATHEESH, SC, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKER WELFARE FUND BOARD ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 17 ``` DR ABRAHAM P MAECHINKARA, SC SMT RESHMITHA R CHANDRAN, GP ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.03.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).33774/2018 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 18 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V FRIDAY, THE 17 [ TH ] DAY OF MARCH 2023 / 26TH PHALGUNA, 1944 ``` ``` WP(C) NO. 33778 OF 2018 ``` ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** ``` P.K. BROTHERS BUS SERVICE PARUTHIKUNNEN HOUSE, EDARIKODE P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY THE PROPRIETOR P.K.MOOSA ``` ``` BY ADV K.V.GOPINATHAN NAIR ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** ``` 1 THE REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER MALAPPURAM - 676 505 2 THE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OFFICER KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS WELFARE FUND BOARD, MALAPPURAM-676505. 3 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, ERANJIPPALAM, KOZHIKODE-673006. ``` ``` BY ADVS. SRI.PRATHEESH, SC, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKER WELFARE FUND BOARD DR.ABRAHAM P.MEACHINKARA, SC, EPF ORG. ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 19 ``` SMT RESHMITHA R CHANDRAN, GP ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.03.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).33774/2018 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 20 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V FRIDAY, THE 17 [ TH ] DAY OF MARCH 2023 / 26TH PHALGUNA, 1944 ``` ## **`WP(C) NO. 33932 OF 2018`** ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** ``` M/S. PEOPLES TRAVELS KOZHITHODI, ERANTHODI HOUSE, NELLIKUTHU, MANJERI, MALAPPURAM REP BY THE PROPRIETOR K.E. AHAMMED KUTTY BY ADV K.V.GOPINATHAN NAIR ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** ``` 1 THE REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER MALAPPURAM - 676505 2 THE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OFFICER, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS WELFARE FUND BOARD, MALAPPURAM-676505. 3 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, ERNAJIPPALAM, KOZHIKODE-673006. BY ADVS. SRI.PRATHEESH, SC, KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKER WELFARE FUND BOARD DR.ABRAHAM P.MEACHINKARA, SC, EPF ORG. ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 21 ``` SMT RESHMITHA R CHANDRAN, GP ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.03.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).33774/2018 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 22 ## **JUDGMENT** (W.P.(C) Nos.33774, 33778 & 33932 of 2018, 3529, 5443, 5478, 5510, 8293, 10979 & 13419 of 2019 and 5498 of 2023) These writ petitions have been preferred either by individuals or by Motor Transport undertakings. They contend that they have been operating stage carriages on various routes on the strength of permits issued by the jurisdictional Regional Transport Officer. According to the petitioners, their establishments are covered under the provisions of the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. 2. According to the petitioners, the Kerala Motor Transport Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1985 has been enacted to provide for the constitution of a fund to promote the welfare of Motor Transport Workers in the State of Kerala. Under Section 4 of the Act, the employee and the employer are liable to pay contributions as may be specified in the scheme. However, the proviso to Section 4 states that the provision shall not apply to a motor transport undertaking to which the provisions of the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, or the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, apply. According to the petitioners, in view W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 23 of the above provision, the establishment run by them is not bound to remit any amount by way of contribution to the Motor Transport Workers Welfare Fund. 3. The petitioners assert that under Section 4(7) of the Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, every registered owner or person having possession or control of a Motor Vehicle in respect of a Motor Transport undertaking liable to pay a contribution under the Kerala Motor Transport Workers’ Welfare Fund Act shall, before effecting payment of tax produce before the Taxation Officer, the receipt of remittance of the contribution towards Welfare Fund due upto the preceding month. According to the petitioners, the above provision insists upon such production only in respect of Motor Transport Undertaking liable to pay contributions under the Kerala Motor Transport Workers’ Welfare Fund Act and not establishments like the one run by the petitioners herein, which are covered by the provisions of the EPF Act, 1952. It is contended that the jurisdictional Regional Transport Officers are refusing to accept the tax and are insisting on the production of documents showing the remittance of contribution to the 3rd respondent. It is on these assertions that these W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 24 writ petitions have been preferred. 4. I have heard Sri. K.V.Gopinathan Nair, Sri. Saju J. Valliyara, Sri. K. Mohammed Rafeeq, Sri. M. Jithesh Menon, and Sri. G. Hariharan, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, Sri. Manu, K.S., the learned standing counsel appearing for the Board, Sri. Abraham Meachinikara, the learned standing counsel appearing for the EPF, Sri. Pratheesh, the learned standing counsel, and Smt. Reshmitha R. Chandran, the learned Government Pleader. 5. I have considered the submissions advanced. 6. The Kerala Motor Transport Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1985, was enacted to provide for the constitution of a fund to promote the welfare of Motor Transport Workers in the State of Kerala. Section 3 of the Act provides that the Government shall frame a scheme for the establishment of a fund under the Act for employees. Section 4 provides for contributions to be made by the employer as well as the employee to the fund. Section 4 to the extent it is relevant reads as under: - “4. Contributions to the Fund.- - (1) xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx - (2) xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx ## W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases ## 25 (3) xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx - (4) The contribution payable by the employer, employee, and - self-employed person shall be subject to revision from time to time. Provided that nothing in the section shall apply to a Motor Transport undertaking to which the provisions of the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (Central Act 19 of 1952) or Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (Central Act 39 of 1972) applied. 7. In all these writ petitions, the petitioners have raised a complaint that the Regional Transport Officers are insisting on proof regarding the remittance of the amount to the Motor Transport Workers Welfare Fund in respect of their vehicles for the purpose of remittance of tax under Section 4 of the Motor Vehicles Taxation Act. It is their contention that as the Motor Transport undertakings are already covered by the provisions of the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, the jurisdictional Regional Transport Officer is bound to accept the tax without insisting upon proof of contribution to the KMTWWF. 8. I find that the very same issue had come up for consideration before a Division Bench of this Court in **George Antony v. State of** W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 26 ## **Kerala[ 1 ]** wherein this Court had occasion to observe as follows: The next question to be considered is appellant's claim of exemption under the proviso to S. 4 which provides for exemption to those who are otherwise liable to pay contribution for the workers, if such workers are covered by Employees Provident Fund Act, Gratuity Act, etc. This is a matter to be proved before the adjudicating officer and not before this Court. In fact, learned single Judge has given freedom to the appellant to prove this fact before the R.T.O. for receiving tax without insisting on production of certificate by the appellant from the Welfare Fund Inspector under S. 8A of the Act. We feel that this matter has to be considered in adjudication proceedings by the Executive Officer of the Welfare Fund Board and not by the R.T.O. Writ Appeal is therefore disposed of directing the District Executive Officer to call for proof of coverage of employees under the Employees Provident Fund Act or Gratuity Act and on being satisfied about coverage and consequent eligibility for exemption, he will issue required certificate to the appellant for production before the R.T.O. for receiving tax. If appellant is not entitled to exemption there will be direction to the District Executive Officer to complete the adjudication upto date and issue orders determining contribution payable under the Act including an advance contribution for the appellant to make payment and on payment to issue certificate for production before the R.T.O. for receiving tax. ## 9. The Division Bench had held that the question as to whether the Motor Transport undertaking is entitled to the claim of exemption > 1 [2008 (4) KLT 119] W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 27 under the proviso to Section 4 is a matter to be proved before the adjudicating officer and not before the writ court. This Court had held that the matter had to be considered in adjudication proceedings by the Executive Officer of the Welfare Fund Board and not by the RTO. The District Executive Officer can call for proof of coverage of employees under the Employees Provident Fund or Gratuity Act and on being satisfied with the coverage and consequent eligibility for exemption, the officer is bound to issue a certificate to the party concerned for production before the RTO for receiving tax. In case, the establishment is not entitled to exemption, the District Executive Officer is bound to complete the adjudication up to date and issue orders determining the contribution payable under the Act including advance contribution to enable the petitioners to make payment and on such payment to issue a certificate for production before the RTO for receiving tax. I am of the considered opinion that the petitioners are bound to follow the course suggested by the Division Bench. In that view of the matter, I am of the considered opinion that these writ petitions can be disposed of by issuing general directions to ensure that the respondents carry out the duties cast upon W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 28 them so as to enable the petitioners to expeditiously remit the motor tax dues in respect of their vehicles. 10. These writ petitions are disposed of by ordering as under: - a) If the petitioners have a contention that their motor transport undertaking is covered under the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, and that contributions have been duly remitted for the period in question, they shall produce the proof of payment of dues under the EPF Act in respect of the workers of vehicle. The Regional Provident Fund Officer shall, on request by the Motor Transport Undertaking, issue an authentic certificate to show the factum of payment of EPF dues, ideally with a QR Code or by other digital certification, so that the authenticity of the certificate can be checked online by the District Executive Officer concerned. - b) On submission of those records, the District Executive Officer shall consider the documents so produced and after conducting an expeditious enquiry and after getting satisfied with the coverage and the eligibility for exemption, shall issue a W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 29 certificate of clearance, as expeditiously as possible, in any event, within six weeks from the date of submission of the proof of payment of dues. - c) On the petitioners receiving a copy of the Certificate of Clearance issued by the District Executive Officer, KMTWWF, the petitioners may produce the same before the jurisdictional RTO who shall act upon the same and accept the Motor Tax dues in respect of the vehicles in question. - d) If the petitioners are not entitled to exemption, the District Executive Officer shall complete the adjudication up to date and issue orders determining the contribution payable under the Act including advance contribution to enable the petitioners to make payment and on such payment, issue a certificate of clearance for production before the jurisdictional RTO for receiving tax. Sd/- ## **RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V, JUDGE** ``` IAP ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 30 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 3529/2019`** ``` PETITIONER’S EXHIBITS: ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1 PHOTOCOPY OF THE CHALLAN CUM RETURN (ECR) EVIDENCING THE REMITTANCE OF CONTRIBUTION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS ACT (KRKKD0028244000) EXHIBIT P2 PHOTOCOPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER IN W.A. NO. 48/2019 DATED 10.01.2019 ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 31 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 5498/2023`** ``` PETITIONER(S) EXHIBITS ``` ``` Exhibit P1 A TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF GOODS CARRIAGE NO. KL 07 CV 4705 ``` ``` Exhibit P2 A TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO. KL 07 CV 4713 ``` ``` Exhibit P3 ``` ``` A TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO. KL 07 BS 5504 ``` ``` Exhibit P4 ``` ``` A TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO. KL 07 CN 7073 ``` - `Exhibit P5 A TRUE COPY OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE TAX RECEIPT FOR THE VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO. KL 07 CV 4705` ``` Exhibit P6 A TRUE COPY OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE TAX RECEIPT FOR THE VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO. KL 07 CV 4713 ``` ``` Exhibit P7 A TRUE COPY OF THE ,MOTOR VEHICLE TAX RECEIPT FOR THE VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO. KL 07 BS 5504 ``` ``` Exhibit P8 A TRUE COPY OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE TAX RECEIPT FOR THE VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO. KL 07 CN 7073 Exhibit P9 A TRUE COPY OF THE ELECTRONIC CHALLAN CUM RETURN (ECR) EVIDENCING PAYMENT OF CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS EPF BY THE ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 32 ``` PETITIONERS IN RESPECT OF THEIR DRIVERS UP TO THE MONTH JANUARY 2023 WITH ESTABLISHMENT CODE NO.KRKCH0027884000 Exhibit P10 A TRUE COPY OF THAT JUDGMENT DATED NOVEMBER 23, 2021 IN W.P. (C) NO' 20553 /2021 ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 33 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 5443/2019`** ``` PETITIONER(S) EXHIBITS ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1 ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-10-AD-4786. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1a ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-65A-4862. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1b ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-41-W-4389. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1c ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-10-Z-2077., ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1d ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-65F 1027. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1e ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-10-AA-9113. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1f ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-65H-6768. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1g ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-10-AQ-3420. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1h ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 34 ``` REGISTRATION NO.KL-10AY-1962. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1i TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-65K-340. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1j TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-53-3906. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1k TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-10-AP-444. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF COMBINED CHALLAN BEARING TRRN 2711811005335 ISSUED BY THE FOURTH RESPONDENT. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT DATED 04-12-2018 IN WPC NO.39351/2018. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT DATED 14.11.2018 IN WPC NO.34376/2018. ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 35 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 5478/2019`** ``` PETITIONER(s) EXHIBITS ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF COMBINED CHALLAN BEARING TRRN 2711811003632 ISSUED BY THE FOURTH RESPONDENT. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT DATED 30-11-2018 IN WP(C) NO. 38988/2018. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT DATED 14-11-2018 IN WP(C) NO. 34376/2018. ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 36 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 5510/2019`** ``` PETITIONER(S) EXHIBITS ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1 ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-55-G-3282. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-10-X-8596. ``` - `EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-55-T-1596.` - `EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-55-H-8996.` ``` EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-55-R-7596. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF COMBINED CHALLAN BEARING TRRN 2711811003646 ISSUED BY THE THIRD RESPONDENT. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 05/12/2018 IN WP(C) NO.39550/2018. ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 37 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 8293/2019`** ``` PETITIONER(S) EXHIBITS ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE KL-9/P. 8452 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF THE REGULAR PERMIT ISSUED IN RESPECT OF THE SAID VEHICLE VALID TILL 13-07-2019 DATED 15-7-2014 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION DETAILS OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WOULD SHOW THAT THE NAME OF REGISTERED OWNER N. BALAKRISHNAN WITH EFFECT FROM 11-10-2004 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION DETAILS OF THE VEHICLE KL-09/P. 8452 WHICH WOULD SHOW THAT THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WAS THE PRINCIPAL, P.V.S.H AND H THANGAL MEMORIAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, KODUVALLY, KOZHIKODE WITH EFFECT FROM 31-5-2012. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P5 TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION DETAILS WHICH WOULD SHOW THAT MOHAMMED SHAFEEK WAS THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION FROM 5-4-2013. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P6 TRUE COPY OF THE DETAILS OF THE PREVIOUS OWNERS DOWNLOADED FROM THE WEB SITE OF THE MOTOR VEHICLES DEPARTMENT. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P7 TRUE COPY OF THE REQUEST SUBMITTED BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT DATED 11-09-2018. ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 38 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 10979/2019`** ``` PETITIONER(S) EXHIBITS ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-10-L-3453 ISSUED BY THE FIRST RESPONDENT. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-10 AU-9787 ISSUED BY THE FIRST RESPONDENT ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3 ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE STAGE CARRIAGE PERMIT DATED 08/03/2016 ISSUED BY THE FIRST RESPONDENT ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF THE COMBINED CHALLAN ISSUED BY THE THIRD RESPONDENT IN FAVOUR OF THE TP TRAVELS ``` ``` EXHIBIT P5 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT DATED 02.11.2018 IN WP(C)NO.35831/2018 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P6 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT DATED 14.03.2019 IN WP (C)NO.7590/2019 ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 39 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 13419/2019`** ``` PETITIONER(S) EXHIBITS ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1 ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-10-AP-3486 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1a ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-10-AS-3486 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1b ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-55-B-287 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1c ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-10-AH-5084 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1d TRUE COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-10-AB-3886 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2 ``` ``` TRUE COPY OF COMBINED CHALLAN BEARING TRRN.2711905000020 ISSUED BY THE THIRD RESPONDENT ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT DATED 25.01.2019 IN W.A.NO.149/2019 ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 40 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 33778/2018`** ``` PETITIONER(S) EXHIBITS EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE CHELAN SHOWING THE REMITTANCE OF CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION. ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 41 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 33932/2018`** ``` PETITIONER(S) EXHIBITS EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE CHELAN SHOWING THE REMITTANCE OF CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION. ``` W.P.(C) No.33774 of 2018 & connected cases 42 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 33774/2018`** ``` PETITIONER(S) EXHIBITS EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE CHELAN SHOWING THE REMITTANCE OF CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION. ```