To verify movement of illegal goods and overloading by trucks, the Meghalaya High Court has sought detailed records from the State government regarding movement of goods trucks through all check-points in the State.
The division bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh passed the order today on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Tennydard M. Marak who complained about movement of illegal goods and overloading by trucks.
Marak had stated in his plea that though the laws are in place, the problem is in the implementation.
He alleged that there is hardly any check conducted to ensure that there is no illegal movement of goods or that the goods vehicles adhere to the weight limits or specifications.
However, the State government told the High Court that though there are several check-posts which have been set up or are in the process of being set up, because of lack of resources the ideal manning of such check-points or the continuous inspection of goods vehicles may not have been possible.
The State government also said that appropriate steps are being taken to ensure that the laws are adhered to and appropriate personnel are engaged to ensure the implementation of laws regarding movement of goods and overloading.
In order to find out the facts, the High Court asked the State government to produce the records pertaining to any check-point in the Garo Hills Districts for the month of November 2021.
The court also wanted similar records from any check-point in the two districts of Jaiñtia Hills for the month of January 2022 to be produced and from any of the districts of Khasi Hills region for the month of March 2022.
“These records, preferably in digital form, should be produced when the matter is taken up a week hence,” the High Court said.
“In the meantime, appropriate measures should be taken to check overloaded trucks, particularly since they cause serious damage to the roads in the monsoon season,” the court added while also listing the matter for hearing on June 17.
