Lokayukta Notice To Law Department On Royalty Tax - Eastern Mirror
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Nagaland

Lokayukta notice to Law department on royalty tax

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By EMN Updated: Mar 06, 2020 11:22 pm

Dimapur, March 6 (EMN): The Nagaland Lokayukta has directed the secretary of Law department, government of Nagaland, to explain how long it would take to frame laws, and ‘complete the follow up action’, concerning collection of royalty tax by the department of Geology and Mining and the department of Forest.

In an order issued on March 5, Nagaland Lokayukta Justice Uma Nath Singh asked the secretary to submit an affidavit, which has been listed to be heard on March 21.

The directive to the Law department was issued following statements by the department of Geology and Mining as well as Forest that they were not in a position to say ‘which department would be collecting royalty tax on what items’ since there was a proposal pending with the Law department.

“Thus now, there seems to be a state of confusion which can be sorted out only upon framing of rules governing the subject matter,” he observed.

According to the Nagaland Lokayukta, both the departments—Geology and Mining, and Forest—assured to install CCTV sets at all toll booths manned by their personnel, in order to check and curb allegations of illegal collection.

He further directed the commissioner of police, Dimapur; district transport officer, Dimapur; administrator of Dimapur Municipal Council; and commissioner of Excise and Prohibition, Dimapur, to participate in the March 21 proceedings “as their offices have also set up separate check gates alleged to be used for illegal collections”.

Final warning to firm

In another order issued on Friday, the Nagaland Lokayukta has instructed ‘Ace Construction’ firm to complete its work (unspecified) by March 24. The case (preliminary inquiry) dates back to 2017, it informed.

The contractor from the firm has previously sought adjournments on five occasions, according to the order.

Even on Friday, the contractor did not turn up and instead, submitted an application seeking an extension of 14 days to complete the work, it added.

“As the last opportunity, he is granted time till March 24 to do the needful; failing which, a notice of contempt may be issued to the contractor and the executive engineer for non-compliance of undertaking vide the applications of extension of time and may be punished suitably,” it warned. The matter will be heard on March 24, it added.

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By EMN Updated: Mar 06, 2020 11:22:33 pm
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