JOWAI: The Jaintia Coal Miners’ and Dealers’ Association has directed all truckers transporting coal under the NGT order not to weight their load at the Hynniewmer (7 mile) weighbridge maintained by the Transport Department.
JCMADA president Balios Swer said that according to the NGT order, all trucks transporting coal from Khasi-Jaintia Hills should weight the quantity of the loaded coal only at the Umling Weighbridge in Ri Bhoi whereas for those trucks coming from Garo Hills the weighing should be taken at Dainadubi, North Garo Hills.
“We have received several complaints from truck drivers that the officials at the 7th Mile Weighbridge force the drivers to take the measurement of the loaded coal at the weighbridge in violation of the NGT order,” informed Swer.
He also informed that when he had visited the weighbridge, the staff at the weighbridge informed that they had received orders contradicting the previous order of the NGT.
Swer, however, affirmed that the order received by the weighbridge officials did not mention weighing of coal trucks but only states that vehicles transporting goods should take the weighing at 7-Mile Weighbridge.
“How can the measurement of loaded coal be taken twice – first at Hynniewmer and again at Umling? Is this is not a clear violation of the NGT order?” Swer questioned.
Swer, further, alleged that amounts of Rs.200, Rs.500 and up to Rs.1000 were being charged from each trucker depending on the excess quantity of load they were found carrying.
DC’s order questioned: Meanwhile, the JCMADA chief has questioned a recent order of the Deputy Commissioner prohibiting trucks plying on the National highway from covering the body of the truck with tarpaulin. Stating that this was against the NGT order, Swer informed that the order clearly states that all trucks transporting coal should be covered properly so as to seal the dust emanating while transporting the coal.
Shortage of NGT stickers: Thousands of coal mine owners in West and East Jaintia Hills have complaint over their failure to obtain the NGT stickers despite having the transits challan issued by the DMR Department.
The DMR officer, however, has assured that the matter would be taken up with the higher authority.