Writ Petition No.211 of 1999

4th June, 2008

Petitioner Counsel: Mr. M. S. SONAK
Respondent Counsel: Mr. S. S. KANTAK,Ms. R. CHODANKAR

Cases Cited:
Goodyear India Ltd. Vs. Union of India, AIR 1997 SC 2038 [Para 3]
Bolani Ores Ltd. Vs. State of Orissa, AIR 1975 SC 17 [Para 5]
Orissa Minerals Development Co. Ltd. Vs. State of Orissa, AIR 1992 SC 1371 [Para 8]
The Chief General Manager, Jagannath Area Vs. State of Orissa, JT 1996(8) SC 530 [Para 8]
Union of India Vs. Chowgule & Co. Pvt. Ltd., AIR 1992 SC 1376 [Para 8]
Western Coalfields Ltd. Vs. State of Maharashtra, 2004(2) ALL MR 109 [Para 10]
Vikram Ispat Vs. State of Maharashtra, 2004(2) ALL MR 82=AIR 2003 Bom 498 [Para 10]
Intelligence Officer Vs. M/s. Roy Constructions Ltd., AIR 2006 NOC 743 [Para 11]

JUDGMENT

JUDGMENT :- The petitioners have challenged the letters dated 3/11/1998, calling upon them to register the equipment owned by them as 'motor vehicles' under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The petitioners thus dispute the classification of their mining machineries as vehicles.

2. The machineries in question are poclains, ripper dozers and drill masters, which are used by the petitioners at their mining sites for different purposes such as excavation, transporting from one place to another and other allied operations, but within the area of the mining leases. These vehicles do not go on the roads. The machineries in question are used for performing tasks like ripping and excavating the mine face for extraction of iron ore, dozing and levelling and loading of iron ore extracted into the dumpers. There is no dispute that none of these machineries are fitted with rubber tyres pneumatic or otherwise and are only fitted with chain plates tracks which are also known as caterpillar tracks. It is the petitioners' contention that none of these machineries, some of which are mobile, are 'motor vehicles' within the meaning of the Act and, are therefore, neither liable for registration and consequently for taxation under the Motor Vehicles Act.

3. There is no dispute that motor vehicles are liable to be registered under Section 39 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. However, the question is, whether the machinery or equipment in question falls within the definition of the words 'motor vehicle' under the Act. Section 2 of sub-section 28 which defines 'motor vehicle' reads as follows:

""Motor Vehicle" or "Vehicle" means any mechanically propelled vehicle adapted for use upon roads whether the power of propulsion is transmitted thereto from an external or internal source and includes a chassis to which a body has not been attached and a trailer; but does not include a vehicle running upon fixed rails or a vehicle of a special type adapted for use only in a factory or in any other enclosed premises or a vehicle having less than four wheels fitted with engine capacity of not exceeding twenty-five cubic centimetres."

The definition has an inclusive part and an exclusive part. The inclusive part includes any mechanical propelled vehicle adapted for use upon the roads as a motor vehicle. The exclusive part excludes vehicles running upon fixed rails or vehicles of a special type adapted for use only in a factory or adapted for use in any other enclosed premises. It is the petitioners' contention that the machinery in question is not covered by the definition, because in the first instance such machinery is not included not being adapted for use upon the roads, and, in any case excluded because the machinery has been adapted for use in 'enclosed premises'. It is therefore obvious that the words of the definition assume great importance. It is therefore necessary to construe whether the machinery can be said to be 'adapted for use upon the roads' or are 'adapted for use only in factory or any other enclosed premises'. If the former, the machinery must be classified as 'vehicles' and if the latter, than it must be excluded from such classification. The term 'adapted for use' means designed for use i.e. to say, if not originally constructed for the particular use, then it has been altered and made fit for that purpose. While construing this term, the Supreme Court in Goodyear India Ltd. Vs. Union of India & Ors. reported in AIR 1997 SC 2038 observed as follows :

"Learned Senior Counsel cited before us Maddoz Vs. Storer, (1962)1 All england Reports 831 to support the contention that the word "adapted" can be used disjunctively as an alternative to "constructed" in which case it can only have one meaning, viz. if the thing was not originally constructed for the particular use then it has been altered and made fit for that purpose. Lord Parker C.J. who delivered the judgment in the said case made a clear observation that "when, however, one finds the word 'adapted' used on its own then one must took to the context". In Bourne Vs. Norwich Crematorium Ltd., (1967)2 All ER 576, Stamp J. has reminded that "English words derive colour from those which surround them and sentences are not mere collections of words to be taken out of the sentence, defined separately by reference to the dictionary or decided cases"."

4. We find from the context that the words 'vehicles adapted for use upon the roads' would mean a vehicle primarily designed for use upon the roads. Correspondingly, we find that the terms 'adapted for use only in a factory or any other enclosed premises' would mean a vehicle primarily designed for such uses off the road and for use in a factory or any other enclosed premises.

5. The term 'adapted for use' has been construed by the Supreme Court in an earlier decision in the case of Bolani Ores Ltd. Vs. State of Orissa & Ors. (AIR 1975 SC 17), where the applicability of the definition to machinery such as (1) Shovels, (2) Drill Master, (3) Caterpillar Bull-dozers, (4) Rockers, (5) Dumpers, (6) Motor Grader, (7) Tractors and (8) Fargo Truck fitted with serving tank for diesel oil etc. fell for consideration. In this case, the Supreme Court considered the question whether these vehicles were 'motor vehicles' from the point of view of registration and taxation. While expanding on the meaning of the term 'adapted for use' occurring in Section 2(28), the Supreme Court observed that the word 'adapted' when used disjunctively with 'constructed', must be in a physical alteration and in other cases where it is used alone it must be given the adjectival sense as "fit" and "apt" for the purpose. Their Lordships also held that it is not possible to hold a dictionary in one hand and the statute to be interpreted in the other for ascertaining the import and intent of the word or expression used by the Legislature. But the meaning which is most apt in the context, colour and diction should be chosen. Thus having interpreted the words 'adapted for use' as 'suitable for use' and 'fit for use on roads', the Supreme Court came to the conclusion that the dumpers, rockers were vehicles which moved on pneumatic tyres were registrable as 'motor vehicles' though not taxable. Tractors were held to be neither registrable nor taxable. The registrability was determined with reference to its adaptability for use on roads and taxability with reference to its actual use on road. The Supreme Court thus made the following observations :

"The question would then arise, are dumpers, rockers and tractors suitable or fit for use on roads? It is not denied, that these vehicles are on pneumatic wheels and can be moved about from place to place with mechanical power. The word "vehicle" itself connotes that it a contrivance which moves. A vehicle which merely moves from one place to another need not necessarily be a motor vehicle within the meaning of Section 2(18) of the Act. It may move on iron flats, made into a chain such as a caterpillar vehicle or a military tank. Both move from one place to another but are not suitable for use on roads. It is not that they cannot move on the roads but that they are not adapted, made fit or suitable for use on roads. They would, if used, dig and damage the roads. It is contended that the dumpers or rockers are very heavy and though they can move on roads they would damage the roads and, therefore, they are not suitable for use on roads. To substantiate this proposition the appellants have produced before us certain notifications issued by the State of Orissa under which vehicles beyond a certain laden weight are prohibited from plying on the roads. It was rightly pointed out by the learned Advocate for the State of Orissa that there are only some of the roads on which vehicles heavier than what is indicated in the notification cannot be permitted. But that is not to say that all vehicles which exceed a particular weight are not adapted for use upon roads and are, therefore, not motor vehicle. A dumper in the Mysore case according to the manufacturer's own specifications is suitable for roads and is described thus :

"The dumper will carry: bulk goods, building materials, mining products, agricultural and forestry products, earth stones, bricks, concrete, morter, etc.

The structure is of simple design and easy to handle. Tipping is performed by releasing the locking device retaining the tipping body.

The dumper requires no more than a few seconds for the emptying of its tipping body and gives no trouble to the driver when being operated on uphill or downhill roads, with its load unbalanced, or when the load refuses to slide out easily.

Quickness and ease charaterise the operation of the dumper and the clumsy manoeurving can be dispensed with. In narrow lanes or rough roads where turning would be impossible or undesirable, the seat is turned and will face driving direction"."

6. It is important to note that the Supreme Court observed that a vehicle would not be a 'motor vehicle' merely because it moved and thus vehicles which moved on iron flats could not be said to be suitable for roads. All the vehicles in question before us are such which move only on iron flats and not on pneumatic tyres.

7. It may be noted that the Supreme Court made specific observation in paragraph 34 that the machines which were located in the mines must be taken to be machines within the enclosed premises since entry into leasehold premises is not open to members and the public. We point this out because the facts before us are similar in this regard.

8. The aforesaid view of the Supreme Court has been followed subsequently in the judgment in the case of Orissa Minerals Development Co. Ltd. Vs. State of Orissa and Ors. (AIR 1992 SC 1371). In that case, what fell for consideration was the same type of vehicles considered earlier i.e. dumpers and rockers. Even though, it was found that the dumpers and rockers are heavy and cannot move on the road without damaging them, in that sense they were not suitable for use on the roads, their Lordships held that the word 'adapted' in the provision is to be read as 'suitable'. In para 7, the Supreme Court expressly noted that dumpers and rockers were 'vehicles'. There was nothing to show that the dumpers and rockers were vehicles of special type adapted for use only in a factory or any other premises. Therefore, the earlier view in Bolani Ores Ltd. case was reiterated and it was held that dumpers were use for transporting ore from the mining faces to the crushing and screening plant or from head mine stock pile to near railway siding and thus engaged in the transport of goods. Subsequently, in The Chief General Manager, Jagannath Area & Ors. Vs. The State of Orissa & anr. reported in JT 1996(8) SC 530, the Supreme Court considered the applicability of the term 'motor vehicle' to dumpers and their liability under the Orissa Motors Vehicles Taxation Act. Reiterating the ratio in the earlier decisions, the Supreme Court noted that these dumpers run on tyres, in marked contrast to chain plates like caterpillars or military tanks. It was also held that by the use of rubber tyres it is evident that they have been adapted for use on roads, which means that they are suitable for being used on public roads and that the speed limit imposed on them does not detract from this position. A similar view was taken by the Apex Court in Union of India & Ors. Vs. Chowgule & Co. Pvt. Ltd. (AIR 1992 SC 1376), where that Court considered the validity of the view of the Court of Judicial Commissioner at Goa, Daman & Diu and held that the dumpers and shovels could be treated at par. The Supreme Court came to the conclusion that the dumpers and rockers were vehicles adapted for use on roads being 'motor vehicles'. Their Lordships reversed the finding of the Judicial Commissioner that the dumpers must be excluded from taxation because they were solely used on the premises of the owner. As regards shovels the matter was remitted back to the Panaji Bench of this Court to bring forth material to establish what exactly is the nature and function of a shovel and whether it is registrable under the Motor Vehicles Act and, if so, whether it is taxable under the Taxation Act.

9. The ratio of the decisions of the Supreme Court on this aspect is that machineries or vehicles which are adapted for use upon roads are liable for registration and other consequences under the Motor Vehicles Act. However, special vehicles which are adapted for use only in a factory or in an enclosed premises are not so liable and that the test to determine whether vehicle is adapted for use upon a road or not will include the consideration whether the vehicle is fitted with rubber tyres pneumatic or otherwise, which are the definite indications of its use on roads, notwithstanding the speed limit that may be imposed on such vehicles. Applying the aforesaid test to the machinery in question before us it seems that the said machinery is meant for use in an enclosed area of the mining lease and is clearly of a special type to perform specific function such as ripping and excavating the mine face for extraction of iron ore, dozing and levelling and loading of iron ore extracted into the dumpers. Though the machinery is fitted with chain plate tracks or caterpillar tracks for limited mibility, admittedly, none of the machineries is fitted with rubber tyres pneumatic or otherwise which are obviously necessary for making the vehicle suitable for uses on the road. These factors clearly lead to the inference that the machinery is not adapted for use on a road, but it is adapted for use in an enclosed place such as a mining lease. Having regard to the observations made by the Supreme Court that an area may be considered as an enclosed place even if there is no fencing around it, there is no reason to accept the contention on behalf of the respondents that the machines are not adapted for use only in an enclosed place. In fact, it is the contention of the learned Advocate General appearing on behalf of the respondents that the machines cannot be considered as having been adapted or designed for functioning in an enclosed place because such machines would work well in an open area such as forest or a hill side which is not the subject of the mining lease. While the submission taken literally is correct, it is not supported in the context of the statute, since in Section 2(28), the terms 'enclosed place' is used in contrast with the terms 'road'. The term 'adapted for use in an enclosed place' is used in contrast with the term 'adapted for use on road', in the facts of present case, in respect of the mining lease. We therefore accept the contention of Shri. Sonak on behalf of the petitioners that the machineries in question are vehicles of special type adapted for use in an enclosed premises and are not vehicles adapted for use upon roads, having regard to the nature, the function and the relative lack of mobility on the roads.

"In the instant case, we are concerned with the pay loader which has a chasis, engine, drivers cabin and wheels and has a mobility and is obviously capable for using on public roads. It may be that it is not as convenient or advantageous as any other public carrier or goods vehicle which is commonly used for transport of goods when it is used for a similar purpose outside a factory or an enclosed premises."

11. In the present case, we are of the view that the machinery is adapted for use or designed for use in an enclosed place as distinct from a road. In fact, it is clearly machinery which is designed for off the road use. Merely because there is a possibility that it can be put on to a road because of its caterpillar tracks with limited mobility, it cannot be said that it is designed or adapted for use on a public road. None of these machines are capable of use for transporting goods or people on a public road. We may also refer to a judgment of a Division Bench of the High Court of Kerala in Intelligence Officer & Ors. Vs. M/s. Ray Constructions Ltd. reported in AIR 2006 NOC 743, where similar machinery i.e. excavators, not running on inflated tyres, but on iron chain plates such as caterpillar vehicles or a military tanks were held as incapable for use upon public roads and, therefore, not 'motor vehicles' within the meaning of sub-section 28 of section 2 of the Motor Vehicles Act read with section 2(1)(j) of the Kerala Tax on Entry of Goods into Local Areas Act, 1994.

12. In this view of the matter we allow this Writ Petition. Rule is made absolute in terms of prayer clause (a) and (b) which read as follows :

"(a) That this Hon'ble Court be pleased to issue a writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ, order or direction in the nature of certiorari, calling for the records and papers pertaining to the Checking Reports in respect of the Petitioners' nine machineries, being Exhibits B-1 to B-9; and the letters both dated 3rd November, 1998, being Exhibit "E" and Exhibit "F" hereto and after examining the validity, legality and propriety thereof, be pleased to quash and set aside the same;

(b) That this Hon'ble Court be pleased to issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus (i) directing the Respondents to forthwith cancel and/or withdraw the Checking Reports with respect to nine machineries belonging to the Petitioners Exhibit B-1 to B-9 hereto; and letters both dated 3rd November, 1998, being Exhibit "E" and Exhibit "F" hereto; (ii) restraining the Respondents from in any manner requiring the Petitioners to register their nine machineries listed in Exhibit 'A' hereto as 'Motor Vehicles' under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and further restraining the Respondents from taking any coercive or other action on that count and/or acting in furtherance of the said letters dated 3rd November, 1998 addressed by the Personal Secretary to the Minister of Transport and dated 3rd November, 1998 addressed by Director of Transport being "Exhibit E" and "Exhibit F" hereto.

13. No order as to costs.

Petition allowed.