RTI activist asks Addl DC to conduct inquiry
SHILLONG: Banshai Marbaniang, an RTI activist from Mawsynram village, has appealed to the Additional Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills to inquire the functioning of the Balat Border Haat.
The activist has alleged that parking fees are being collected without any receipt.
“The security personnel inside the Balat Border Haat are from the BSF and the State Police Force as mentioned in the guidelines but outside the Haat, that is, within the Indian boundary, those who are collecting parking fees and revenue for the goods are unidentified locals. When asked on what grounds they are collecting the fees, they replied that they have tendered the parking but didn’t produce a receipt,” Marbaniang said.
On the other hand, the unidentified persons collect revenue outside the Haat without issuing receipts to vendors who are carrying Indian goods inside the Border Haat and also the same for the Bangladeshi goods who come out from the Border Haat for selling in India.
The activist further alleged that maximum most of the vendors in the Balat Border Haat are non-tribals.“As per the list of vendors who are given permission to operate in the Border Haat include tribal names, mostly from the Khasi community. There are around 16 to 17 non-tribal names on the list, but while visiting the area, I have found that most of the shopkeepers and owners of the goods are non-tribals. This does not match the list received through RTI. This is against the Benami Transaction Act,” he added.
Marbaniang urged the DC to look into all illegal activities in the Balat Border Haat.
