Tax Arrears or Recovery Proceedings under OMVT Act will not block MV Act Certificate or Registration

The Orissa High Court ruled that tax arrears or recovery proceedings under the Orissa Motor Vehicles Taxation (OMVT) Act do not prevent the cancellation of registration or fitness certificates under the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act. The case involved a petitioner whose vehicle registration was canceled due to non-payment of dues. The petitioner argued that pending recovery proceedings under the OMVT Act should stay the cancellation. However, the court clarified that the MV Act operates independently of the OMVT Act and that non-payment of motor vehicle taxes alone is sufficient ground for cancellation under the MV Act. This ensures compliance and enforcement of motor vehicle regulations irrespective of ongoing tax recovery actions.