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2023 (4) TMI 310 - KERALA HIGH COURTRejection of option for settling arrears of sales tax under the Amnesty Scheme - petitioners assail the order of the Lok Ayukta on merits and on the ground of jurisdictional infirmity - HELD THAT:- Section 7 of the Lok Ayukta Act provides for matters which may be investigated by the Lok Ayukta and provides that, subject to the provisions of the Act, the Lok Ayukta may investigate any action which is taken by or with the general or specific approval of the persons specified therein, in any case where a complaint involving a ''grievance'' or an ''allegation'' is made in respect of such action. Going by the definition of 'maladministration', only unreasonable, unjust, oppressive or improperly discriminating action taken or purporting to have been taken in exercise of administrative functions would amount to maladministration. The power exercised by the Sales Tax Officer in rejecting the application of the complainants opting for the Amnesty Scheme-2020 is a quasi judicial function and a hierarchy of remedies is provided against the said order under Chapter-VII of the KGST Act apart from the remedy available before this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution in appropriate cases - It cannot assume any jurisdiction otherwise confirmed by the Lok Ayukta Act. This Court, in John Joseph [2011 (5) TMI 1141 - KERALA HIGH COURT], observed that, if the authority does not have the requisite jurisdiction to adjudicate the dispute brought before it, permitting such an examination would only create chaos in the administration. Ext. P1 complaint before the Lok Ayukta does not reveal any allegation or grievance in consequence of maladministration. Therefore, Ext. P1 complaint, is not maintainable before the Lok Ayukta and the Lok Ayukta has no jurisdiction to decide the correctness of the order rejecting the option for settling the arrears under the Amnesty Scheme-2020. Accordingly, Ext.P3 report of the Lok Ayukta is set aside. If orders passed by quasi-judicial functionaries exercising powers under a statute are for any reason untenable in law, resort must be had to the remedies under the statute and the complainants cannot bypass the procedure and approach the Lok Ayukta. This Court has not adjudicated the correctness or otherwise of the order of the assessing authority rejecting the application opting for Amnesty Scheme- 2020, but only the jurisdiction of the Lok Ayukta in entertaining Ext. P1 complaint - Petition allowed.
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