Dispute between the department of Geology & Mining (G&M) and department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (EF&CC) over the collection of royalty on minor minerals has reached the state capital Kohima even as the state government continued to maintain eerie silence over the issue.
Expressing its strong resentment, Kohima district Truck Owner’ and Drivers’ Union (KDTODU) has appealed to the state government to clarify which of the two was authorized department in order to avoid payment of double royalty on an item. In a press release, KDTODU president, Megobizo Kuotsu, and general secretary, Kevithi Puro, also appealed to EF&CC and G&M department to clarify on the jurisdiction to collect royalty from trucks carrying sand and bricks.
The union pointed out sand-laden trucks pay a tax of Rs 300 to 350 (one rupee per cft) and trucks carrying bricks were being charged with one rupee per brick. KDTODU said this has inflated the price and the public were suffering in the hands of the government. The union has appealed to the public to speak up for their rights as consumers against the issue.
Meanwhile, the union has slammed the behaviour of the personnel manning check gate. It claimed that those personnel in an inebriated condition were “harshly demanding revenue” from the drivers. KDTODU warned that such behaviour would compel the union to resort to “chakha bandh.”
DFO Dmu forest div affirms: Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Dimapur Forest Division on Thursday affirmed that it would continue to supervise the collection of revenue and regulation of forest transit passes as per the office memorandum (OM) issue by the principal secretary EF&CC.
In a press release, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Dimapur Forest Division, K Ihevi Aomi, also objected to the statement made by the G&M director on the OM issued by the principal secretary E F&CC concerning Nagaland Mineral Concession Rules. DFO Dimapur forest division said it was “unfortunate” for the G&M director to state that the OM issued by the principal secretary to the government of Nagaland was “irrational”.