regarding the route allocated between Kasargod and Puttur only two round trips are indicated. According to them, two of such round trips have been operated by Karnataka SRTC and one by a private operator. In the meantime, the 1st respondent approached for variation by including one more trip. The Karnataka STA allowed the same. However, when countersignature was sought for, the STA, by order dated 21/12/2005, rejected the same on the ground that “ On verification it is found that there are three round trips allowed to be operated by Karnataka based operators on the route Kasargod-Puthur but all this trips have been allocated to other operators and hence there is no vacancy at all. Moreover, according to the third Supplemental Agreement of 1998 entered into between the two States, any vacancy that exists under joint operation or under any other appendices or Annexure had to be operated only by the respective State Transport Undertakings. ” The STA, therefore observed that the grant of one additional trip on the route in the alleged vacancy of a private operator is against the agreement of 1976 and 1998. Hence the application for counter signature was rejected.
