SHILLONG, MAR 17: Opposition members on Tuesday demanded action against a check gate set up by the GHADC for allegedly indulging in ‘extortion’ even as the state government assured of re-notifying its order directing the DCs to ensure no illegal gates are operating in the National highways.
A lot of questions were raised by the opposition members during the ongoing assembly session about the TNT gate set-up the GHADC operating on the NH-51 and Meghalaya district council affairs minister HDR Lyngdoh replied saying he has sought information from GHADC on this issue.
To a query posed NPP legislator James K Sangma on whether the state government would closed down the TNT gate if its operation is found to be illegal, Lyngdoh said, “It is only after receiving the information as we don’t know now whether it is illegal or not.”
Lyngdoh maintained that the subject belongs to GHADC and that the state government does not interfere in the day to day activities of district council but assured that the issue will be examine and action will be taken accordingly.
Independent legislator John Leslee Sangma brought to the notice of the house of the confusion about the operation of the particular gate on NH-51. According to him, the TNT gate was supposed to issue license to a non-tribal who is having interest in doing business in the state.
John Leslee Sangma, however, said the gate has now evolves into something else. He informed, “ When I was travelling through this road, I saw there were line of trucks and on enquire and questioning them, I found that this gate was extorting money from vehicles.” He added that light vehicles were made to pay Rs 50, medium vehicles at Rs 100 and big vehicles at Rs 500.
John Leslee Sangma also alleged that until and unless money is paid these vehicles were not allowed to go. He said, “The matter was also taken up with the deputy commissioner of West Garo Hills, but the DC is also confused about it.”
Not satisfied with the reply of the minister, John Leslee Sangma said it is a law and order issue and it is the responsibility of the state government whether to allow this kind of collection in the name of TNT..
Independent legislator Saleng A Sangma also joined alleging that there are lots of check gates indulge in illegal collections from coal and limestone trucks even as he sought clarification whether any action is going to be taken against the GHADC.
On all the allegations made by opposition legislators, Lyngdoh said, “Evidence is with the members but the department is unaware as it awaiting information from the GHADC.”
Intervening on the issue, Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma however informed that there is a standing order of the government to all the Deputy Commissioners directing them to ensure that no illegal check gates are allowed to exist.
“We will further re-notify the order to ensure all DCs comply with the order,” Sangma assured.
Soon after this, John Leslee Sangma asked what action would be taken against the DC for not taking suo-moto action on the issue raised with him.
On this, Sangma said, “The government would also seek action taken report from all the DCs, if such gates exist what action has been taken by them,” adding “Based on this, the government will take action.”
According to the chief minister, the order issued by the government is very comprehensive which include punitive action if the DCs fail to comply.- By Our Reporter
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