The learned advocate for the petitioners has moved a Draft Amendment. The same is granted and shall be carried out during the course of the day.
Heard Mr.Mihir H.Joshi, learned Senior Advocate with Mr.Amar N.Bhatt, learned advocate for the petitioners. It is submitted by the learned Senior Advocate that the licence fees for the hoardings put up by the petitioners have been increased by 150% for the year 2011-12, as compared to the licence fees levied by the respondent-Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation for the year 2010-11, which is Rs.1,000/- per square metre per annum. It is further submitted that the increase in the licence fees is not warranted, especially in view of the fact that the petitioners have come to know that for the next year, i.e. 2012-13, the respondent-Corporation has reduced the licence fees to Rs.850/- per square metre per annum.
Issue Notice returnable on 25.04.2012.
The petitioners shall pay the licence fees for the year 2011-12 at the rate of Rs.1,000/- per square metre per annum, within a period of two weeks from today. Over and above the same, the petitioners shall file an Undertaking before the Court to the effect that the licence fees at the rate of Rs.1,000/- per square metre per annum for the year 2011-12 shall be fully paid by the petitioners within a period of two weeks from today. The said Undertaking shall be filed by 23.03.2012.
Subject to the above, the respondent-Corporation shall maintain status-quo, qua the hoardings of the petitioners.
Direct Service of this order is permitted.
(Smt.
Abhilasha Kumari, J.) (sunil) Top