SHILLONG, March 21: An already cash-strapped Meghalaya has lost revenue to the tune of more than Rs 11 crore, all thanks to the Forest department for failing to realise fees worth Rs 11.87 crore a various check gates while issuing transit pass to trucks transporting limestone outside the state.
In the audit report, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), while pointing out that the Forest and Environment department has 37 check gates out of which 23 check gates were established along the interstate boundary to prevent unauthorised transportation of forest minerals and ensure payment of royalty and other fees, said that in 2013 it was notified that that all trucks carrying minor minerals outside the state are required to pay a sum of Rs 1,000 per truck as transit fee at the Forest check gates along the interstate border.
As per the records of the District Forest Officer, Jaintia Hills Territorial Division, Jowai, the CAG observed that 1,18,682 trucks were issued transit passes by three check gates for transporting limestone outside the state/country between October 2016 and March 2018, without realising the fees at the prescribed rates from the trucks as per the government notification. “Thus, inaction on the part of the DFO and the department staff has not only resulted in contravention of the government’s notification but has also led to non-realisation of fee of Rs 11.87 crore,” the CAG said.
This case was earlier reported to the department in July 2019, to which it replied that the minerals accrued from mining lease areas under Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules (MMMCR), 2016, was certified as non-forest produce and collection of export fee was not applicable.
Regardless, the CAG maintained that the reply is not tenable as per the government notification.
According to the CAG, since the audit observation pertains to the period October 2016 to March 2018, the notification was in effect and thus, fee for issuing of transit pass is required to be realised.
“Subsequent notification of January 2020 was not applicable in these cases. Thus, the non-realisation of fee for issuing of transit pass on minor minerals exported outside the state has resulted in loss of revenue to the state exchequer,” it stated, while adding that no further reply was communicated
“Due to absence of proper procedure and controls of the DFO to direct the check gate officials to realise the fee, fee of Rs 11.87 crore was not realised. The government may review operation in remaining 14 check gates for proper recovery of transport fees,” it stated.
It is worth mentioning here that under Section 15 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957, the Mining and Geology department had notified the Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016, for regulating the grant of mining leases and quarry permits in respect of minor minerals.
Also, Clause (g) of Rule 2 read with Schedule III of the Rule provides that limestone of any grade may be termed as minor minerals when it is used in kilns for manufacturing of lime which is used as building materials. Under Section 40 of the Meghalaya Forest Regulation (Application and Amendment) Act 1973, read with Rules 2(a) (iii) of the Transit Rules under the Act, no forest produce will be removed unless covered by a transit pass issued by a forest officer in token of full payment of amounts due to the government.
