Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 13
The Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) has alleged that even as the Forest Department had intimated to NTTU that the department had initiated an enquiry to the complaint filed by the timber union, Forest officials manning check gates are still resorting to illegal collection of money.
NTTU president Kevise Sogotsu told media persons that in the latest instance on May 8, a timber-laden truck coming from Phek side was made to pay Rs. 3000 at Pfutsero Check gate, Rs. 3500 at Peducha and another Rs. 4000 at Chumukedima check gate in the wee hours of May 9.
NTTU also took exception to the insistence of the Forest department in asking NTTU to furnish the “transit permit (TP) for transportation of timbers as per the list provided earlier by the union. “Who is the authority to issue TP? Is it the NTTU or Forest department? Why is the Department insisting us to furnish TP?” Sogotsu asked.
Referring to a letter of the Forest department issued by Conservator of Forest, (STC) dated May 6, 2019, to the NTTU president which insisted on NTTU to furnish TP as “per list provided” by the union, the NTTU countered saying how can NTTU furnish TPs when both the Forest department and NTTU know very well that Forest officials manning the three check gates were resorting to illegal collection without issuing TPs.
The letter to the NTTU president also stated that “the enquiry” initiated by the Department on NTTU’s demand for removal of Forest check gates “is at an advanced stage”. NTTU reasoned that if the enquiry is at an advanced stage, then why is the department still allowing its officials manning check gates to continue their illegal collection.
Further, NTTU questioned on the utility of Forest check gates and said if the Forest officials are collecting tax without issuing TPs or cash receipts, then not a single rupee was going to government revenue.
NTTU said it would leave no stone unturned in its fight for justice and removal of inter-districts Forest check gates.
Meanwhile, the Union also reiterated the points contained in an earlier memorandum dated 15/01/2018 submitted to the Forest minister. In the memorandum, NTTU demanded that the TP rate for every district should be reasonable and below Rs. 3000. The union also requested for police flying squads to be provided twice a week for timber-laden trucks plying from Kiphire to Dimapur.
