Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has asked the chief secretary to issue necessary directives to all the Deputy Commissioners to effectively enforce the Gauhati High Court, Kohima bench common order dated June 3, 2014 as well as the government standing order dated June 22, 2009 to completely ban illegal collection of cash at check-gates and on any part of the highway.
NVCO press & media cell in a representation to the chief secretary reminded that the court had categorically directed that no union, association, federations will be allow to collect cash/contribution at check-gates and on any National/State Highways and banned from opening offices, sub-offices, pay-counter, information centre on any highway.
Similar order was issued by the state government on June 22, 2009 banning all forms of collection by any organization or individual including government departments in check-gates or in any part of the highway.
NVCO said that the court had dismissed around 11 Writ Petitions filed by several unions, associations, federations, as the proceedings initiated by them were found without any merit.
It said that the unions/associations were registered with the state government under the Trade Union Act and Registration of Societies Act and their area of operation was within Dimapur mostly lying on national/state highways such as new field check-gate, Golaghat Road, Burma Camp, Dillai Gate, Old Khatkati Road, etc.
NVCO also cited an example that just within a range of 20-25kms i.e Khuzama police check-gate to Kohima bye-pass police check-gate, there were more than seven pay-counters including pay-counters initiated by Manipur vehicle/truck/oil tankers owners/drivers, public organization at Phesama check-gate, KMC toll tax collection counter of which the tax-payers are never provided with any services, etc.