By our reporter:
SHILLONG, APR 1: The Nongal Dobu Coal Trucks Owner Association (NDCTOA) has asked the state government not to allow non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to disturb the transportation of extracted coal.
In a letter to the chief secretary KS Kropha, NDCTOA president Heninson M Sangma said, “We request you not to listen to allegation nor allow any individual or NGOs to disturb the transportation of extracted coal.”
He however warned that if further disturbances are created to the transportation of the extracted coal, the association would be compelled to go for 24-hour flow of coal loaded trucks.
“We may even bring 10, 12 and 16 wheeler trucks to transport coal with the permission from the state government or High Court or Supreme Court,” Sangma said.
The NDCTOA also outrightly denied the allegations made by the NH-62 Save Mission Committee that the coal trucks are carrying overload in violation of Supreme Court order and NGT guidelines.
The committee also alleged that the trucks were paying a bribe of Rs 7000 to the transport department staff manning the department’s check gate at Depa Sarangma.
“The allegation is false and with vested interest with sole intention of blackmailing us and the staff of Transport, DMR and Taxation departments. We neither overload nor give extra money to our drivers for bribing,” he said.
According to him, the transportation of extracted coal is being done under the strict compliance of National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court orders which is to be completed within a given time.
He further lamented that in the last one and half years, the transportation of extracted coal was allowed off and on and even during those periods, there were many disturbances in the form of strikes, non-cooperation movement and others.
Stating that the last extension granted is up to May 31, Sangma said that they do not expect to get any further extension neither from the NGT nor the Supreme Court which makes its members desperate to complete the transportation of coal.
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