JAC slams government over ‘flouting’ NGT order

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Feb 21: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of coal mine owners under Shalang, West Khasi Hills has questioned the government for alleged contravention of the tiol Green Tribul (NGT) orders.

JAC’s objection came close on the heels of the erection of two weigh bridges in a stretch of six kilometers when the actual measurement is supposedly to be along the exit point along the Assam–Meghalya border.

The stretch in question is on the Nongstoin-Athiabari road that leads towards the coal depot in Assam.

“After adhering to the NGT orders to pay the royalty on the extracted coal, the department of taxation and Mineral resources created weigh bridges in two different points”, president of the JAC Harley Synshang stated on Tuesday, adding, “This is a harassment on coal merchants, who are abiding by the NGT order”.

Synshang further said that the interl movement of coal is also being taxed, which is contrary to the earlier practices.

The JAC president said, “We are at a loss because of such unwanted taxation. We paid our royalty and ready to pay the tax in any exit point of our state”.

The coal merchants also questioned the dual treatment meted to coal transportation alone. “Sillimanite, boulders and sand are being transported through the same road and they have been exempted from taxes”, Synshang quipped.

He also alleged duplicity of the State departments in dealing with the issue. The JAC has threatened to move court in this connection.