Guwahati: The United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) has urged the Kokrajhar district administration to take immediate action against the alleged illegal collection of money from goods-carrying vehicles passing through the Srirampur Inter-State Check Gate, claiming the syndicate is driving up the prices of essential commodities across Bodoland, Assam and other Northeastern states.
In a memorandum dated July 21 and addressed to the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Gossaigaon, the party alleged that an organised syndicate was collecting “illegal tax” from goods vehicles passing through the check gate.
The memorandum, signed by UPPL General Secretary (A) Raju Kumar Narzary, claimed that illegal collections were being made from trucks transporting a range of goods, including eggs, fish, livestock, cement and other commodities. It alleged that the collections were being carried out under the guise of official authority, affecting the movement of goods through the interstate corridor.
According to the party, the alleged illegal collections have contributed to a sharp rise in the prices of essential commodities, including vegetables, meat, fish, household goods, cement and hardware, causing hardship to consumers, particularly economically weaker sections.
“With reference to the subject cited above, we would like to draw your kind attention to the organised syndicate for collecting Illegal Tax from all Goods carrying vehicle passing through Srirampur Inter-State Check Gate. This has led to huge bearing on the skyrocketing prices rise of essential items in Bodoland, Assam and all Northeastern States,” the memorandum said.
The UPPL requested the SDO (Civil) to initiate prompt and strict action against those allegedly involved in collecting money from goods vehicles passing through the Srirampur gate under his jurisdiction.
The party said such action would help curb the rising prices of essential commodities in the state and neighbouring regions.
Copies of the memorandum were also forwarded to the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, Kokrajhar.