Activist in Meghalaya files FIR over fake challan racket

Newmai News Network
Shillong, Feb 5: Kingstone Bolwari, an activist, has filed an FIR on Wednesday at the Sadar Police Station in Shillong against a group of people over allegations of selling fake challans to be used for the transportation of coal.
According to the FIR filed by Kingstone, between December 12 – 16, two persons have been selling fake challans for the transportation of coal that was auctioned in South Garo Hills district. The coal in question is the recently auctioned coal in the villages of Pathalgittim, Rongding Awe, Rongsa Awe, Garegittim, Agrengittim and Jadigittim in South Garo Hills district after these were found lying unclaimed by the district administration.
The challans for one George S Marak, who was one of the winning bidders, were apparently faked by the two miscreants. The challans were apparently being used to transport coal through Shallang in West Khasi Hills district and Dainadubi in North Garo Hills district.
“The purpose of issuing challan to the successful bidder is to generate revenue for the state of Meghalaya as the transporter pays for the challans before coal is transported. For their personal monetary benefit, the persons were indulging in this illegal business. I demand that such acts are stopped immediately and the culprits booked as per law,” said the activist in the FIR. Interestingly, quite a few people apparently bought challans from the duo but returned them when they came to know that the documents were faked.
Kingstone further expressed surprise that the fake challans were being supplied by the criminals in the name of bid winner. He further added that there had been a delay in filing FIRs as there was a need to verify the details before seeking police help on the matter.
“It is clear that these acts and actions are a clear violation of rules and are against the order of the Supreme Court and also against the provisions of the Mineral Resources Act, 1957,” he added.
A similar complaint was earlier also lodged with the Directorate of Mineral Resources in Shillong.