HC orders inspection of 28 weighbridges
Shillong, Dec 6: The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday directed spot inspection of 28 weighbridges following a PIL based on CAG report that had revealed revenue loss to the tune of 23.75 crore.
The PIL filed by Garo Hills-based activist Tennydard M Marak alleged government inaction or mismanagement in operating the weighbridges leading to the significant revenue loss.
“A spot inspection for two hours will be conducted by the respondents, in the presence of the petitioner or his representative, in each of the weighbridges at checkpoints on one day at the time when vehicular traffic is the greatest,” stated the order passed by the bench comprising chief justice IP Mukerji and justice W Diengdoh.
Asking the authorities concerned to keep such inspection confidential, the court said, “We clarify that only the petitioner is to be informed who shall keep the inspection secret. The petitioner shall not conduct any inspection but shall be present only.”
“Any overloading fee, charges, revenue, etc. realised out of such inspection shall be stated in a report and submitted before the court,” it said.
The court asked the report to be submitted by 10 February next year and listed the PIL for hearing on 12 February 2025.
Earlier, Marak cited the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report for the year ended 31st March, 2022 where non-realisation of revenue on account of non-functioning or below par functioning of the weighbridge was estimated at ₹23.75 crore.
“This revenue, inter alia, comprise s of overloading fee, cess and ‘royalty’ in case of export materials, fine, lease, rent, and so on. Similar reports for the previous years from 2012 were also placed before the court indicating loss of revenue, the order said.
