48 HOUR DEADLINE TO TRUCKS OVERLOAD MINING COMPANIES

PANJIM: The director of transport, Mr Arun Desai, has given a 48-hour deadline to the mining companies to stop overloading of the trucks, warning them of stern action including confiscation of the overloaded trucks  Addressing a press conference, Mr Desai said that the department is going to get tough on overloading of vehicles and added that the department has sent letters to all the mining companies, exporters association, truck owners association and transport contractors warning that if they do not stop overloading of the trucks within 48 hours, the department will strictly enforce the provisions of the Central Motor Vehicle Act.

He said that the department tried to challan the violators during the last six months, but the mine owners really don’t care about the fines even though the fines are quite hefty.

He further said that as per the Act, the violators are charged ` 2,000 for the first tonne of overloaded weight and Rs 1,000 for every subsequent tonne of overloaded weight, however, it has failed to yield results.

The transport director said that now the department has taken a decision to confiscate the overloaded trucks and have zeroed down on a site to keep the confiscated trucks with the laden weight.

He also informed that a decision on the subsequent measures will be taken after a joint meeting of the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat with the mine owners, ore exporters and transport contractors in the next couple of days.

Meanwhile, Mr Desai disclosed that the department has collected a revenue of `1.75 crore from the mining trucks coming from Maharashtra for using the infrastructure.

He said that the trucks pay the cess in advance and the toll is collected at the check post.  Playing down allegations made against an officer, he said no officer is involved in fixing the cess.  Mr Desai further said that commercial vehicles from other states cannot be stopped from entering the state as long as they operate from point to point and pay their taxes and do not operate within the state.