Shillong, Feb 12: In a significant move to address allegations of revenue loss due to malfunctioning weighbridges and unchecked overloading of vehicles, the Meghalaya High Court has directed the state authorities to complete inspections of all weighbridges by April 30, 2025.
The court’s decision comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a aelf styled social activist Tennydard M Marak, who raised concerns about overloaded vehicles being allowed to pass through weighbridges without penalties, allegedly due to collusion with some government officials.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh, emphasized the urgency of the matter, noting that the state is losing substantial revenue from overloading fees, cess, royalties on export materials, and fines.
The court has mandated that a detailed report on the inspections be submitted by May 2, 2025, in line with its earlier order dated December 5, 2024.
Key Directives from the Court:
Finalizing the List of Weighbridges: The government has been instructed to prepare and share a comprehensive list of weighbridges with the petitioner by February 19, 2025.
If the petitioner identifies any omissions, the list will be revised and finalized accordingly.
Spot Inspections During Peak Traffic:
The court has ordered two-hour spot inspections at each weighbridge during peak traffic hours. These inspections must be conducted discreetly, as per the court’s earlier order, to ensure transparency and accuracy.
Fresh Inspections: The Advocate General assured the court that the government is willing to conduct fresh inspections, addressing concerns raised by the petitioner about previous inspections being carried out without proper notice.
Background of the Case:
The issue came to light after Tennydard M Marak filed a PIL alleging that overloaded vehicles were being allowed to pass through weighbridges unchecked, leading to significant revenue losses for the state. The petitioner also highlighted the malfunctioning of several weighbridges, which further exacerbated the problem.
During the hearing, the court noted that its earlier directive for inspections had not been fully implemented. Disputes arose over the number of weighbridges to be inspected, and the petitioner claimed that they were not properly notified about the inspections conducted by the government.
The court’s latest order aims to ensure accountability and transparency in the inspection process. By setting clear deadlines and emphasizing the need for secrecy during inspections, the court hopes to curb malpractices and recover lost revenue for the state. The outcome of these inspections could have far-reaching implications for transportation regulations and revenue collection in Meghalaya.
