BJP, Cong lock horns over checkpost mopup

Opposition complained about coercion factor

The issue of collection of revenue from Regional Transport Authority (RTA) from inter-state checkposts has been politicised with the BJP claiming that it has ensured that RTA checkpost revenues have shot up manifold since it came to power eight years ago and the Congress contending that revenue targets are being given to officials which is unethical.

Replying to a question by Dangs MLA Madhu Bhoye, regarding the income from the Waghai RTA checkpost and at what stage is the new proposed building of the Waghai check post, minister of state for road transport Amit Shah said that the RTA registered revenues of Rs 1.58 crore for the 2003-04 fiscal from the Waghai checkpost. He added that in the first nine months of the current fiscal ended December 31, 2004, the Waghai RTA checkpost has generated an income of Rs 1.09 crore.

Interrupting the reply, leader of opposition Arjun Modhvadia demanded to know whether RTA department officials were being given targets for collection.

"The house must know from the government whether targets are being handed out to RTA officials for collection of revenue from checkposts," Modhvadia said in the Gujarat assembly.

In reply, Amit Shah said, "Yes, targets have been set but these have been set with the intention of benefiting the state. The RTA income figures over the past few years clearly show what the earlier government did. When the BJP took over power in the state, the RTA income was Rs 40 crore. It has risen to Rs 939 crore in the 2003-04 fiscal."

In response several opposition MLAs got on to their feet and started raising objections to the minister's statement. Allegations flew thick and fast even as the speaker attempted to restore order in the house.

Several Congress MLAs were heard stating that most officials of the RTA department felt aggrieved at meeting the monthly collection target at checkposts.

Shah said that in the 2001-02 fiscal, the RTA income stood at Rs 686 crore, which rose to Rs 801 crore in the 2002-03 fiscal. The income rose to Rs 935.36 crore in the 2003-04 fiscal and until December 31, 2004, the department had collected Rs 860.60 crore.

The state government has over the past few years completed computerisation of all checkposts of the state. Besides connecting all the checkposts to a central monitoring station, the system has also helped in checking cases of tax evasion.