BJP threatens legal action against govt officials due to overloading by trucks

SHILLONG, MAY 16: The state BJP has threatened to take stern legal action against government officials involved in encouraging overloading by trucks as it is in violation of a Supreme Court order.

“BJP wants this illegal transportation to stop immediately as it amounts to complete lawlessness and violation of the Court order. Officials involved in encouraging violation of the Court order will be dragged to the Court. We will not hesitate…as we have enough evidence,” BJP leader and Tura MDC Bernard N Marak said in a statement issued on Monday.

Alleging that the stone suppliers and exporters in Dalu have grossly violated the court order, Marak said overloaded trucks are carrying more than 30 metric tons (MT) and mercilessly ravage the public roads in Dalu.

“Trucks without registration numbers, without proper documentation are seen lined up on Dalu road every morning and everyone is silent about it because all are paid for this illegal transportation,” he said.

“These trucks are carrying more than 30 MT but the weight bridges are showing only 21 MT. The customs are allowing illegal export by citing less quantity while they are paid for the excess which are allowed to be exported unrecorded,” Marak further alleged.

The BJP leader also informed that the leaders of the party had a meeting on Saturday at Dalu and a detailed list of illegal collection carried out by the custom officials, state departments, GDC, NGOs etc also surfaced in detail.

“The trucks are allowed to carry over the permissible load violating the Supreme Court’s order because everyone is given profit for the illegal transportation,” he alleged.

“Details of collection from the quarry to export point are as follows : Nokma fees 200/- Monopoly 300/-  State Forest 300/- GDC 200/- MLP 500/- State Forest 200/- GDC 200/- NGO 200/- State Forest 500/- MLP 300 NGO 400/- GDC 200/- MLP 1200/-  GDC 200/- NGO 200/- NGO 200/- Monopoly 200/- Monopoly 200/- MLP 200/- State Forest 200/- GDC 200/- NGO 200/- GDC 200/- MLP 200/-

After reaching Dalu: Weighbridge – 1,700/-, Custom – 1,000/-, Forest – 150/-, Sanitization – 50/-, Association – 500/-, MVI – 500/-, Total – 3900/-. Grand total – 10,800/- per truck. DFO – 50,000/- per book of 100 challans i.e. 500 per truck which means 11,300 per truck,” he stated.

By Our Reporter