To stop leakage, check gates under CCTV

SHILLONG, MAR 16: Meghalaya government has decided to put all the integrated check gates will under ‘CCTV surveillance’ to stop leakage of revenue and it has also constitute a Task Force Committee to recommend improving revenue and tax collection.

Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma told the ongoing budget session of the state assembly on Monday, “We have constituted a Task Force Committee to come up with recommendation required to be adopted by revenue generated departments of the state.”

Sangma was responding to a query raised by UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh and informed the assembly that the state government will look into the recommendations provided by the committee.  He also said there is no specific case of leakage in collection of tax and  revenue neither clear indication of nexus between officials and tax evader.

Lyngdoh, however, alleged that there is huge revenue leakage at the district level check gates. He sought answer whether the government is proposing to have a leakage revenue control act in place as is done in other states.

On this, Sangma informed there are possibilities and certain issues have been given to the task force committee for coming up with comprehensive mechanism to deter any chances of leakage in revenue collection.  He also informed one of the measures taken by the state government is the Mission Mode Project for Computerization of Commercial Taxes with e-services, which are going to be implemented in the state.

Sangma said, “The e-payment adopted by Meghalaya has also received award of payment from the Computerize Society.”

Sangma  also revealed that all integrated check gates will also be covered under the computerization project, which will include installation of CCTVs.  He said,“These CCTVs will help in monitoring what is happening in the check gates.”

Sangma revealed that necessary instruction has been given to start the process of land identification for setting up integrated check gates.  He said because of the four laning project there are delay in the process but in Dainadubi and others areas land identification will be jointly taken up with other departments.

Sangma also informed that the state government is contemplating to have these integrated check gates in the entry and exit points across the state.- By Our Reporter