From Our Correspondent
TURA, Feb 25: The Mangsang unit of the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) has alleged large-scale irregularities in the transportation of coal from South Garo Hills and has petitioned the East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner to conduct a magisterial inquiry.
In a formal complaint, GSU President Barnawel Sangma claimed that coal-laden trucks plying along NH-217 (formerly NH-62) are routinely exceeding permissible weight limits. While the legal limit for six-wheel or single-axle trucks is 12 metric tonnes, Sangma alleged that trucks are carrying between 25 and 30 metric tonnes with impunity.
“This violation of statutory regulations and Supreme Court rulings not only poses safety risks, resulting in accidents almost daily, but also causes a massive revenue loss to the state exchequer,” Sangma stated.
The GSU highlighted a specific loophole regarding transport challans issued by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR). Although royalty is paid for only 12 metric tonnes per truck, the union claims vehicles carrying more than double that weight are not being penalised or off-loaded at transport check gates as required under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Furthermore, the union alleged a fraudulent practice where hundreds of trucks use a single challan for multiple trips. According to the complaint, entries on the challans are deliberately made in lead pencil so they can be erased and refilled for subsequent journeys. Sangma claimed this “syndicate” has resulted in the diversion of crores of rupees meant for the state treasury.
