By Our Reporter
SHILLONG:The Hynniewtrep Trucks Owners’ and Drivers’ Union (HTODU) has alleged that the weighbridges of different departments of the Government are not issuing receipt to truck drivers even as they are charging money from truckers.
Addressing a press conference here in the city on Thursday, HTODU spokesperson Peter Lawai said that the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR) and the Sale Tax department never issue receipts for the payments at their check gate.
The organization has even directed all the truckers not to make payments if proper receipts are not issued.
According to organization, the DMR collects Rs 120 to Rs 150 per truck for with the simple reason of sealing challans, adding that this is practiced at the DMR check gate at Mookyndur, West Jaintia hills district and Umling, Ri Bhoi district.
The HTODU also said that the trucks have to get the challans sealed twice in the two check gates which in total amounts to Rs 240 per truck and it would come to a whooping amount of Rs 24,00,00 as around 1000 trucks ply on the National Highway on a daily basis.
“We want the two departments to clarify on the motive of the collections being exercise by them as we do not know as to why we have to pay this amount to these check gates,” Lawai said. The Union further expressed its concern over the double payment of fines that the trucks have to pay for overloading in the two weighbridges – Pasyih, Jaintia hills and Umling, Ri Bhoi district.
“The trucks were made to undergo measurements in these two weighbridges and have to pay a fine for overloading ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 2000,” he said adding “The same amount of fine is imposed even if the load exceeds only one ton.”