Stockists and Suppliers’ Union (SSSUD) Friday threatened to impose indefinite bandh on transport of sand to Nagaland if the government of Nagaland failed to respond to its clarification on royalty issue.
Recently SSSUD decided to stop paying tax on sand-laden vehicles with effect from June 1 until the government decide which of the two departments — department of environment, Forest & Climate Change and the department of Geology Mining (G&M) — was authorised to collect tax.
On Friday, more than 70 sand-laden trucks were stranded at Dillai Check gate as SSSUD disallowed them to enter Nagaland.
SSSUD had earlier disclosed that both G&M department and forest department have been collecting taxes from sand-laden trucks. It said the G&M department issues money receipt, but the forest department issues token in a small piece of paper at both New Field and Delai check gates.
G&M department has said that as per Nagaland Rules of Executive Business 2016, the department has been authorized as administrative authority of mineral concession and development of minerals in the state. It stated that the dispute between forest and G&M departments was already resolved at a joint meeting on October 28, 2017 and accordingly, a clear administrative order was issued with the approval of chief minister under the present PDA government on April 2, 2018.
The department said it was collecting royalty as per the rate prescribed under Schedule 1 of Nagaland Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2004 (NMMCR 2004) against issue of money receipt.