• Directs Law Department to file affidavit on setting up royalty collection rules
• Forest, Geology & Mining Depts assure to set up CCTVs in toll booths
DIMAPUR, MARCH 6 (MExN): The Nagaland Lokayukta today observed that there is a “state of confusion” with regard to collection of royalty tax by the Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the Department of Geology & Mining.
In an order passed on March 5 by the Nagaland Lokayukta, Justice Uma Nath Singh said that this “state of confusion can be sorted out only upon framing of rules governing the subject.” It therefore directed issuance of notice to the Law Department to file an affidavit informing within how much time the pending proposal and follow up action would be completed.
This was stated during a hearing on the case with the subject matter listed as “matter in regard to illegal collection by State and non State actors.” In presence were PCCFs, Dharmendra and N Ngully; CCF, Kenny; Secretary, Geology & Mining, Khrupi Sothu; and OSD, Geology & Mining, Kekhrie Zavi.
The officials were called after the Investigating Officer submitted the status report of the case.
The Lokayukta was informed that with regard to collection of royalty tax by these two Departments, “a proposal is pending with the Department of Law for quite some time.” Thus, it was stated that the department officials present “are not in position to make a statement as to which Department would be collecting royalty tax on what items.”
“Let a notice be issued to Secretary Department of Law, Government of Nagaland to file affidavit as to within how much time the pending proposal and follow up action would be completed,” the Lokayukta ordered.
Meanwhile, the department officials assured during the proceedings that CCTV sets would be installed on all the toll booths which are manned by their personnel.
In this, the Lokayukta directed the Investigating Officer to periodically inspect the functioning of the CCTV sets when installed as undertaken by the officers participating in the proceedings. It also directed the officers present to submit the details of follow up action upon clearance of pending proposal by the Department of Law.
The matter was listed for March 21, wherein the Law Secretary was directed to submit the affidavit
It further directed the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur; District Transport Officer, Dimapur; Administrator, Dimapur Municipal Council; and Commissioner of Excise & Prohibition, Dimapur to participate in the proceedings on March 21 “as their offices have also set up separate check gates alleged to be used for illegal collections.”
