All Kamrup Metro District Students’ Union (AKDSU) exposes timber syndicate

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The All Kamrup (Metro) District Students’ Union (AKDSU) has alleged that the Assam Government is losing revenue to the tune of Rs 50 lakh every month due to the existence of a well-entrenched syndicate of illegally transported timber from Byrnihat to Guwahati.

In a press statement, AKDSU general secretary Dibyajyoti Medhi on Thursday accused the DFO of East Kamrup Forest Division of running the syndicate by setting up around 200 timber shops under his division. Out of the 200 timber shops, 100 are situated in Guwahati. A huge quantum of timber originating from Meghalaya is unloaded at these shops every day.

Medhi alleged that even though timbers were initially transported to Guwahati by big trucks, smaller vehicles are now being used for the transportation purpose. Under the syndicate, timber depots have been created along a long stretch from Jorabat to Byrnihat. The trucks unload timbers at these depots and mini trucks later bring the same to Guwahati throughout the day and night. One Gogoi who claims himself to be a relative of the DFO, is running the syndicate from the forefront, Medhi alleged.

According to Medhi’s allegations majority of the trucks are entering Guwahati with a huge quantum of timber without paying legitimate tax to the Forest department. Medhi said such development has resulted in a huge loss of revenue for the Forest department. He said a conservative estimate puts such revenue loss at Rs 50 lakh per month.

Medhi alleged that besides the DFO, a few other Forest department officials instead of collecting legitimate tax from the trucks are charging exorbitant money for themselves to run the syndicate.

Demanding a high-level inquiry into the racket of illegal transportation of timber, the AKDSU has demanded the State Government to uproot the syndicate immediately.

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