Toll gate racket
By Our Reporter
Shillong: The Assembly House Committee probing into the racket of illegal toll collection along the National Highways in its report tabled in the Assembly on Friday has confirmed the obvious – anomalies galore in the tax collection system along the highways with complicity of Police, District Council and the Departments of Taxation and Mining and Geology.
The Committee found out there is massive loss of revenue from almost all departments in the various check points especially the Enforcement Branch of the Tax department.
While pinpointing the reason which has brought about this leakage of revenue, the Committee said that there is neither any proper mechanism of maintaining records in the check points nor there is any monitoring of the toll collection in the different check points.
While referring to the anomalies along the NH-62 in East Garo Hills where there is maximum leakage of revenue, the Committee said that there are many illegal collection points and most of them had been closed down by the district administration.
“The weighbridges collect fees in excess of the prescribed rate and manipulate the weight. The district administration also took action but some managed to secure stay orders from the court. It was also found that all the weighbridges were not recognized by the Transport department, as per the statement given by the Principal Secretary, Transport department, but they are still operating as recognized weighbridges,” the Committee observed.
The Committee also found that the District Council also collects tax on excess load, which is illegal as royalty can be collected only by the department of Mining and Geology.
“There are some police outposts which are also alleged to have collected money from the truck drivers,” the report added.
The Committee also noted anomalies in the data of the trucks plying along NH 62 among the different departments like Transport, Taxation and the Directorate of Mineral Resources.
The Committee also found that most of the vehicles which were overloading were not penalized, or that the fines were not collected by the Transport department resulting in revenue loss.
While referring to the NH-44 from Shillong to Ratacherra, the Committee found alleged illegal collection of money in different outposts or police station on the highways and also at the 7the Mile weighbridge.
The Committee also said that on National Highway 40 especially in Ri-Bhoi, the Taxation departments at Umling and Byrnihat did not maintain proper records regarding movement of vehicles and most of the officers posted there were not able to give proper information on any queries raised by the committee.
“However, the department took prompt action in enquiring the matter and later transferring all the officials posted there,” the report added.
In West Khasi Hills, the Committee found that there are many toll gates erected by traditional institutions like the Himas and Syiems which collect fees beyond the prescribed rates.
A District Council check gate in West Khasi Hills also collects money more than the prescribed rate, the Committee noted.
“Most of the weighbridges, lease agreement of which has already expired, are still operating on the basis of court orders. These weighbridges are allegedly collecting money more than the prescribed fees,” the Committee added.
Many vehicles were carrying load above the permissible limit of 9 metric tons but the Transport department did not impose any fine, the Committee observed.
Moreover, the Committee also found that the number of vehicles recorded does not tally from one department with another.
“The Committee found that some vehicles pass through the Taxation check gates without registering their entry and it was also revealed that some vehicles had paid penalty for carrying extra load, but the Taxation department had not issued any receipts,” the report said
As part of recommendation, the Committee said that a system needs to be created which will help to solve the implementation of an integrated check gate system at the exit and entry point especially in Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi, Umkiang in Jaintia Hills and Dainadubi in East Garo Hills.
The Committee also suggested that the gates to be erected at entry and exit points should be connected through internet/Satellite/NSAT to a centralized server which will keep all the information related to the collection taking place and the system should be updated every now and then.
The Committee however did not mention the quantum of loss to the exchequer.