Kohima truck owners, drivers list out illegal collection details by govt agencies

No trucks to ply on Oct 7 under Kohima jurisdiction: KDTODU

 

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 4 (MExN): While expressing solidarity to the proposed indefinite bandh called by the Public Action Committee (PAC) from October 7 onwards, the Kohima District Truck Owners & Drivers’ Union (KDTODU) on Friday highlighted how the same nature of illegal monetary collection is pervasive in check gates and along the highway under Kohima jurisdiction. 

In an exposure, the Union listed amounts demanded by different government agencies at check gates and on highways, in particular to six wheeler trucks and other vehicles. At Khuzama police check gate, the Union alleged that six wheeler trucks pay Rs 500 or more to Nagaland Police, Rs 300 to Narcotics and Rs 200 to Excise.

At Jakhama Kehorü and at Loyola Higher Secondary School, Jakhama, the trucks (going empty) pay Rs 50 to some locals. At Phesama landslide area, similar amount of Rs 50 (going empty) is collected by locals of the area, the Union alleged. 

At Phesama check gate, Nagaland Police collects Rs 500 and above, Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) collects Rs 50 as toll fee. The Union also alleged that the Southern Angami Public Organisation collect local tax on items, the list of which is displayed at the check-gate. 

At the Bye-pass-NH 29, a six wheeler truck forks out Rs 100 to KMC as toll fee, Rs 300 to MV department. At the BSF camp, Chedema and at Meriema, similar amount is taxed by KMC and Nagaland Police, it said. 

At Lalmati -NH 29, the trucks pay Rs 100 to Nagaland Police, Rs 100 to Excise and Rs 200 to the Forest department. 

At Pherima, the Union alleged that the Petroleum & Land Transport Workers Federation of India collects tax (amount not specified) even though the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench has disallowed the Federation to collect cash on any highways. 

Taking strong exception, the Union has appealed the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima to immediately stop these illegal collections of money by the different government agencies. 

The Union also informed that no trucks would be allowed to ply on October 7 from 6 am to 6 pm within Kohima jurisdiction in support of the indefinite bandh called by the PAC.

NGRC-1CU, NVCO extends co-operation 

Meanwhile, the Nagaland Govt. Registered Class-1 Contractors’ Union (NGRC-1 CU) and the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has extended its co-operation to Kohima District Truck Owners & Drivers’ Union (KDTODU) in banning the plying of truck on October 7, 2019 in support of the indefinite bandh called by the PAC-NCD.

A press release issued by the NGRC-1 CU president Seyiekuolie said members of NGRC-1 CU as contractors and owning good number of truck are mostly affected and normally pays huge amount at the check-gates and on highways illegally on daily basis. 

The Union has appealed all district administration especially Kohima to take on this menace and bring a solution in order to avoid further protest and bandh in the days to come.

The NVCO, in a separate press statement, appealed the state government to issue necessary directions to all the district administration in Nagaland to do the needful in executing the government standing order in banning illegal collection of cash at the check-gates and on any highways. 

It also reminded of the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench order disallowing organization/union /association/federation etc in collecting cash on any highways.