Jharkhand HC Declares User Fees On Mineral Transport Vehicles Unconstitutional

The Jharkhand High Court struck down user fees levied on mineral transport vehicles, holding them unconstitutional under Articles 14 and 265. The Court ruled that such levies lacked proper legislative backing and amounted to an unauthorized tax, violating principles of equality and legality in taxation. By quashing the impost, the judgment provided relief to mining and transport businesses from arbitrary fiscal burdens. The Court emphasized that taxation requires express legislative sanction, and regulatory authorities cannot impose charges beyond statutory powers. This ruling strengthens constitutional safeguards against unauthorized taxation and aligns fiscal governance with principles of transparency and legality.