The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization has urged the Directorate of Mineral Resources to ensure transparency in allotment of coal challans as these are under the control of a few unscrupulous lots.
“Coal challans should be allotted as per law and not only to a few hands of the NPP cronies whose coffers are already overflowing with all the loot and plunder in so short a time.”
“It is a known fact that a few unscrupulous are monopolising these challans and rightful people are denied because of steep prices charged by them. If the department cannot ensure transparency in this work, then let another agency take over the responsibility to ensure that the people are not denied their rightful share of God’s bountiful blessing,” HITO said in a statement today.
It also urged all cement companies operating in Meghalaya to strictly abide by the September 25, 2020 notification that fixed the rates for transportation of goods ranging from Rs 7 up to Rs 14 per km depending upon the road condition.
The organisation stated that while most companies have started abiding by the rates, some have clandestinely tried to bypass this regulation through other measures which results in further revenue loss to the exchequer.
“They must desist from this illegal act forthwith or face repercussion as per law,” HITO president Donbok Dkhar said.
Dkhar said the organisation welcomes the decision of truck owners of Jaiñtia Hills to demand for a hike in freight rates and hoped it will benefit the people of the region. However he added, “No one must indulge in any malafide illegal attempt to monopolize the transport system by permitting particular trucks to ply in priority for selfish interest as can be proven by receipts collected over just a brief period of time which clearly prove complicity of certain prominent individuals and a self-styled association whose antecedents are unverified.”
Stating that due to a standoff between the cement companies and the trucker’s association over the latter’s undue interference in the system the HITO president said this has led to many Central and State government schemes coming to a grinding halt for lack of cement etc. “This will affect the payments of scores of people who are anxiously waiting with Christmas at the doorstep,” he said.
