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Dimapur, Sep. 30 (EMN): Assam Sand Suppliers and Truck Owners’ Association Dimapur (ASSTOAD) has decided to impose a ban on sand supply from Assam to Dimapur starting from September 30. It came almost a month after the Sand Mahaldar Suppliers' Association, Manja resolved increase the rate of sand from INR 32 to INR 110 per cubic feet (cft)
This was announced by the president of ASSTOAD, Anito Shohe, at a press conference held at Hotel Saramati in Dimapur, on Wednesday.
Shohe said that the association has decided to impose the ban in order to check price hike of sand and illegal transportation of sand within the state. She informed that the price of sand had shot up to INR 110/cft of sand.
The ASSTOAD president said that total ban of sand supply would continue till both the parties -- the supplier and the buyers -- negotiate and reduce the price rate to a certain extent so that the public can afford it.
Shohe added that the association has approached the district administration, Forest and Police department, Dimapur to ‘work together and check illegal entry of sand supply into Dimapur’.
Finance secretary, Deon Swu said that their ‘sole intention is to have a meeting with the suppliers association in Assam to take into account both suppliers and buyers in the state’.
Swu added that the association was spearheading the negotiation for the price hike of sand, and on this issue, the association would have a joint meeting with the main parties in Assam in the coming days.
While the association is in the process of negotiating with the suppliers in Assam, some alleged syndicate systems have been illegally transporting sand from Assam to Dimapur, ‘which is hampering the negotiation,’ added Swu.
The association also appealed to the public to bear with the inconveniences until the matter is resolved amicably. The association added that it would be deploying volunteers at the inter-state check gate at Dillai and New Field Check gate.
ASSTOAD also extended its support to the indefinite economic blockade called by five truck unions following the killing of a truck driver in Dimapur on September 22 and appealed to the concerned authority to resolve the issue at the earliest.
The association also informed the bonafide members to register on or before October 15.