‘Leakage of revenue a concern’
SHILLONG: The Transport department in the State is a revenue earning department but there is rampant leakage of revenue and it has become a ‘money minting station for few individuals at the cost of the State exchequer.’
This observation was made by HSPDP MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit while moving a cut motion in the assembly on Monday. He stated that the State government was not serious about the department which has failed to provide satisfactory services to the people.
Basaiawmoit called for complete overhaul of the Transport department and suggested complete computerization of toll collection and to convert Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) into a revenue earning corporation to make it more manageable and profitable as was being done in other states of the country.
Stating that there is a demand for public service vehicles in the State, Basaiawmoit said, “To state that the buses are running at a loss is not acceptable. This clearly reflects the utter failure on the part of the management and the lack of a systematic method to deal with the same.”
He raised the preset status of the MTC workshop at Law u Sib and queried the minister in charge on the location of the helipad that is being planned at Shillong.
Jemino Mawthoh of the UDP pointed to the unutilized land housing the erstwhile MTC central store building, which, he assumed was due to fund constraints.
He questioned whether the plot was leased to the government or private parties and whether approval was sought from the MTC Board for leasing out the land.
John Leslee Sangma (Independent) expressed concern over the unprecedented absence of the District Transport Officer at Tura which has caused undue problems to the people who are seeking renewal of their driving licenses and questioned the government as to the delay in taking action against the errant officer.
He added that the DTO is infested with middlemen who charge exorbitant rates for registration and issuance of permits and licenses.
In his reply, Transport Minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh said the government will streamline the functioning of the department.
The minister said the department will also ensure that officers in the district headquarters attend offices.
He also informed that with the computerization, the menace created by dalals in the district transport offices has been curtailed to a certain extent.
Lyngdoh further said the issue of compensation to be paid to the four families for parting with their land for expansion of Umroi Airport is being examined by the concerned deputy commissioner.