The allegations of illegal collection of poultry tax in Ri-Bhoi district have caused concern since the amount collected on a daily basis was earned by certain individuals.
The Ri-Bhoi Youth Welfare Organisation (RBYWO) today wrote to Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister, Alexander Laloo Hek and sought clarification from him on the legality of such tax collection.
The RBYWO also mentioned that a group known as Double Seven Corporation was involved in daily collection of poultry tax at Byrnihat from vehicles bringing poultry from Assam.
In the letter, the RBYWO said that Double Seven Corporation collects poultry tax between Rs 30,000 and Rs 90,000 from vehicles. It also said that in a single day, the collection was to the tune of lakhs of rupees.
“Unless the money is paid, the police personnel of Byrnihat police station won’t allow the poultry vehicles to enter Meghalaya,” the organisation said.
It also alleged that the money collected was deposited in the bank account of Double Seven Corporation (AC No: 59208413927554) through IFSC Code: HDFC0001643.
The RBYWO also sought to know the identity of the persons who operate Double Seven Corporation since the IFSC Code belongs to Itanagar district of Arunachal Pradesh.
“We want to be clear as to who is the owner of Double Seven Corporation and why the tax collected from poultry traders goes to a bank account in Itanagar,” the organisation said.
Stating that it has no complaint if the money went to the government exchequer, the RBYWO said that it was against diversion of the money to a private individual or group since that would amount to daylight extortion or illegal tax collection.