HSPDP threatens to “storm” weighbridge

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, APR 18: Opposition Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) has threatened to storm a government weighbridge to expose the state government’s failure to end the alleged “daylight robbery” which led to huge revenue loss.

In an open letter to the state government, HSPDP chief Ardent M Basaiawmoit said, “If state government fails to immediately put an end to this, we will not hesitate to storm the weighbridge…when we say it, we also mean it.”

He said that the party has been receiving numerous complaints from coal truck owners and drivers about the illegal collection by the government weighbridge at 13^th Mile in Ri Bhoi District.

“As per our information, this particular weighbridge is collecting Rs 7000 to Rs 10,000 per truck besides those having to pay Rs 10,000 are allowed to ply without weighing the coal,” he alleged.

Terming it as a daylight robbery, he said that allowing such illegal activities is not only a violation of the NGT orders but it has also plundered the state resources to a great extent.

“The big question is where this illegal money is going when the state government keeps on complaining about financial crisis and that it has no money to repair roads, to provide adequate medicines and even pay salary to its teachers,” he said.

He added, “We cannot just be as mere spectators as our state resources are heading towards depletion to benefit few individuals.”

Asked, the HSPDP chief said that the party demands the state government to immediately address this concern and ensure that all trucks carrying overload should be fined.

“In fact I had raised this issue in the floor of the House and even demanded for an inquiry but the government has failed to take necessary action,” Basaiawmoit said while also pointing out to various incidents that had taken place in the past.

Stating that it was also informed that people in vehicles with red beacon light are turning blind eye to such activities, he said that the party also suspect nexus between the weighbridge and those in the government.