The writ petition was filed before the High court of Karnataka under articles 226 & 227 of the constitution of India by Petitioner/Advocate praying to direct the respondent/State of Karnataka to measure, sketch and record the shop premises acquired for the purpose of construction of Metro rail project in the presence of the petitioner and pay revised business Premises re-establishment allowance etc was disposed of.
The petitioner who is an Advocate had an office, where the land was marked for the purpose of Bangalore Metro Rail Project, and the same was notified for acquisition. The Petitioner prayed for the measure, sketch and record the shop premises acquired for the purpose of construction of the Metro rail project in the presence of the petitioner and pay revised business Premises re-establishment allowance.
Arguments
“Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in the Compensation and Resettlement Package (CRP) 2019, provision is made at clause VI regarding allowance for loss of business for the tenant. While drawing the attention of this court to the particular provision, the learned counsel for the petitioner submits that as per the said package and policy of respondent No.3 – BMRCL, a different set of provision in assessing the allowance has been made to persons who pay GST and another provision is made to persons who do not pay GST, like petitioner. Under the loss of business to the tenant, where the average payment of SGST is up to Rs.5,000/- p.m., allowance of Rs.85,000/- is made. Where the SGST is between Rs.5001/- to Rs.15,000/- p.m., allowance of Rs.1,70,000/- is made. Similarly, for loss of business where SGST is paid above Rs.15,001/- p.m., allowance of Rs.2,25,000/- is made. Whereas, for the person who does not pay SGST, allowance of Rs.60,000/- is made.”
“Learned counsel for respondent No.3-BMRC submits that even though an Advocate cannot claim to be doing business, the respondents have considered the aspect that the petitioner is also required to shift his office and therefore the same benefit that is being given to a commercial establishment has been given to the petitioner. Moreover, it is submitted that the petitioner has accepted the allowance paid by the respondent No.3, though under protest. Learned counsel further submits that on the aspect of proper measurement, the petitioner, as well as respondent No.3, may be permitted to hold a joint survey and if it is found that the assertion made by the petitioner herein is correct, the allowance will accordingly be enhanced, in terms of the policy.”
Decision of the Court
Having heard both the parties, the Court finds that the offer made by respondent No.3 -BMRCL was appropriate. An allowance of Rs. 60,000/- has been made for the loss of business and a sum of Rs. 35,000/- has been awarded for the purpose of shifting the office. Further, on the aspect of proper measurement, the learned counsel for respondent No.3 has fairly submitted that a joint survey will be conducted and if it is found that the office of the petitioner was actually measuring 282 sq. ft., the allowance will accordingly be enhanced, in terms of the policy document. The writ petition was accordingly disposed of.
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