Transporters protest against 'illegal tax on highways

Kohima, Mar 30 : The Ad-hoc Coordination Committee of owners, drivers and motor Workers Unions of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland have raised concern over illegal collections from transporters on National Highways - 29, 53 and 37.

A meeting of the committee was held at Bokajan in Karbi Anglong district of Assam recently and it also deliberated on various problems faced by the transporters along with the illegal 'tax' imposed by some persons in the name of fake organisations. It has decided to make a combined effort to apprise the matter to the concerned state governments to solve the problems faced by them. After the deliberations, it was decided to appeal to the concerned state governments to accelerate the existing escort system so as to avoid undue delay in transporting essentials such as petroleum, medicines and other commodities. The meeting further resolved to authorise the presidium member of the permanent committee headed by Y Bhupen Chandra Ghosh, president of All Manipur Petroleum Tankers Drivers' Union, to prepare the draft of the constitution of the permanent body and complete the registration under Trade Union Act.