Swaraj, Yechury to take up illegal collection issue in Parliament

Shillong, Jul 10 : Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury have assured All North East Commercial Truck Owners' and Operators' Association (ANECTOOA) that the issue of illegal collection from hundred of trucks plying along the National Highway in Meghalaya will be taken up in the forthcoming Monsoon session of Parliament.

''Ms Swaraj has assured to take up the matter in the Lok Sabha, while Mr Sitaram Yechury will bring the issue for discussion in both the Houses of Parliament in the forthcoming session,'' ANECTOOA general secretary, Augustine Shanpru told reporters here.

The Association leaders arrived here after their stay in the national capital from June 21 to July 1.

During their week-long stay, the ANECTOOA delegation discussed with various Central leaders the issue of illegal collection from trucks allegedly involved by Meghalaya politicians.

Demanding intervention of the Centre to end illegal collection from truckers, especially those plying along NH 62 in Garo Hills region and West Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya, the ANECTOOA delegation submitted separate memorandums to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

They, however, met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, Ms Swaraj and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, Mr Yechury who is also the head of Standing Committee on Transport, besides MPs from Meghalaya and officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway.

The ANECTOOA, alleged that though the Union Home Minister had assured them that he would talk to Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on the issue, illegal collection from trucks has not stopped till date.

The truckers body demanded that Centre direct the Meghalaya government to close down all illegal check gates as well the existence of various government check points along NH 62, besides investigation by the CBI to unravel facts on politicians in Meghalaya who are hand-in-glove with people manning the illegal check gates