Stay goes, no parking fee

Stay goes, no parking fee
DH News Service, Bangalore:


The High Court has vacated the stay on the BBMP’s order withdrawing permission to collect parking fee on several roads in the city.

Contractor G Subramanya had moved the High Court challenging withdrawal of permission and the HC had stayed the operation of the order on Jan 2, 2009.

BBMP counsel Ashok Harnahalli submitted that the Council on January 29, January 2005 had passed a resolution not to collect the parking fees and the question of collecting the fees does not arise unless the decision is reviewed. The Palike being headed by an administrator, no decision has been taken to levy parking fees. He also said that the person who granted the permission has no authority to do so. He contended that the BBMP has not fixed any parking fee for the vehicles. Justice Ravi Malimath vacated the stay saying that the licence has been granted in transgression of the authority.

It may be recalled that BBMP had awarded the contract to Ishwarya Associates to collect the parking fee from January 2 and withdrew it on the same night, following widespread criticism. Two-wheelers had to pay Rs 2 per hour and four-wheelers Rs 10 per hour as parking fee under the system introduced on 11 roads in the city.