Sibsagar legislator Akhil Gogoi has alleged that coal and betel nut syndicates in Assam have resumed, and the Chief Minister has given a “green signal” to these syndicates.
Gogoi has claimed that since the Uttar Pradesh elections are approaching, Assam needs to arrange Rs 300 crore, and so the syndicates have been resumed to arrange that money.
He added, “Not just the UP elections, but Assam itself is running out of funds and so to fill the pockets of the BJP leaders, the syndicates are being resumed.”
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He further alleged that Chief Minister himself has provided the permission needed for this.
“We have heard that CM had claimed that it will not be possible to intercept trucks in the national highway but this statement by the CM itself indicates that he is in favour of the syndicates”, he added.
Akhil Gogoi also claimed that a minister from Assam is managing these syndicates and the BJP would get Rs 85 thousand per truck.
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Earlier Akhilon Sunday Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that coal trucks from other states transiting through Assam cannot always be intercepted and weighed.
Speaking to the media, Sarma said, “It is not always possible to intercept all trucks passing through Assam. We need to allow the passing of trucks from other states through Assam in order to maintain a good relationship with the neighboring states.”
He added that if people demand then the government might take initiatives to set up a weighbridge or “maybe” something a check-gate but then the people will have to handle the issue of the traffic congestion.
The CM further added that the state government can take steps against coal trucks belonging to Assam but it impacts the relationship with the neighboring states if the authorities from Assam start to intercept their trucks.
“How will we feel if our trucks are harassed in other states?” he questioned.
However, Akhil Gogoi stated that overloaded trucks can be intercepted as trucks are carrying 40-50 tons of material which always needs to be checked.