Bars approach HC on licence fee

Justice Challa Kodandaram of the High Court at Hyderabad on Wednesday admitted a writ plea filed by 30 bar owners.  The petitioners questioned the order of the government fixing the rate of license fee on the basis of the plinth area of the bar. 

It is contended in the writ petitions that the action of the government was totally arbitrary since the power to levy the license fee is based on population.

It is pointed out that the government earlier expanded the scope of its power to make such levy on “other factors” and under the guise of the said power had included in the calculation of the plinth area even the toilets, the store room, the kitchen, etc. of the Bars. The judge did not grant any interim orders.