PANJIM: Margao Truck Owners Transport Association alleged a nexus between Mines Department, Police and RTO in permitting Maharashtra vehicles to carry transportation of sand during the ban period.
The association has written to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and also met TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai and Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma.
Speaking to media-persons, association president Inacio Gonsalves said, “From May 31st, sand extraction was stopped in Goa and Maharashtra and accordingly we stopped our operations but vehicles from Maharashtra have continued to transport sand.”
He said that despite bringing this to the notice of the authorities, Mines Department, Police and RTO turned a blind eye. “They failed to take any action against Maharashtra vehicles but are prompt to catch Goan vehicles,” Gonsalves added.
The association also alleged that the Maharashtra vehicles bribed the police and RTO at check posts. “Some of the agents from Goa help Maharashtra vehicles to carry on with business during ban period,” he said.
They alleged that in Goa illegal sand extraction is going on during ban period and that when sand extraction is carried out during the legal period they are not provided passes and are asked for extra Rs 500 for pass.
