Mukul seeks report

Illegal check gate in Garo Hills

A Correspondent

Shillong, March 17: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma today came to the rescue of his cabinet colleague HDR Lyngdoh when the latter was cornered by the Opposition on the issue of a TNT gate being operated on NH 51 by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).

Intervening during the Question Hour, Dr Sangma said, “A standing order to all Deputy Commissioners have been issued that no illegal check gates should be set up. If there is any check gate, the Deputy Commissioners should take action.” The Chief Minister said that the government will re-notify the order.

However, Independent legislator from Tura South, John Leslee K Sangma said that he had persolly taken up the issue with the Deputy Commissioner under whose jurisdiction NH 51 falls. John Leslee K Sangma asked the Chief Minister what action would be taken against the DC for not taking sou moto cognizance.

Dr Sangma replied that the government will be asking for the action taken report and take measures based on it.

Earlier, Lyngdoh, who is the Minister in-charge District Council Affairs (DCA), said that the department is seeking information on the TNT gate being operated on NH 51 by the GHADC. The DCA Minister, however, said that running of the gate is the subject of the district council and the government has nothing to do with its day-to-day affairs.

The Tura South legislator informed the house that the TNT gate was supposed to issue license to a non-tribals doing business in the state.

Sangma informed that when he travelled through this road, he saw trucks lining up and on inquiry found that this gate was extorting money from vehicles. He added that light vehicles were made to pay Rs 50, medium vehicles Rs 100 and heavy vehicles Rs 500.

Sangma alleged that until and unless money is paid, these vehicles were not allowed to move.