Amidst wait and watch situation of a case pending in the Supreme Court of India for a thorough investigation of coal theft in Dhanbad in connivance with police, company and administrative authorities a coal delivery order (DO) has launched stir against realisation of "rangdari tax" on loading of trucks from genuine DO holders in Baghmara area of Dhanbad.
The DO holder Kanhaie Chouhan has levelled allegation of realising rangdari tax to the tune of Rs1600 per tonne by non other than sitting Dhanbad MP Dhullu Mahto, his brother and present MLA of Baghmara Shatrughan Mahto in connivence with local officials of coal producing company BCCL.
Chouhan leveled this allegation on Mahto brothers by holding a press conference at district headquarters a few days ago and yet another time on Wednesday by holding a day long protest dharna along with his supporters at Randhir Verma square in the heart of town.
He said no action is being taken by police, company officials and district authorities despite my repeated complaints right from chief minister, DGP, to BCCL officials as well as local police and civil officials.
He said his trucks that were in row for loading with official DO papers were identified and delebretaly forced out from the loading point as he refused to pay the rangdari tax of Mahto brothers. He alleged that complaints to BCCL authoritied yielded no response.Chouhan alleged his trucks remained stranded for days together as he refused to pay the demanded sum.
When asked to respond to an allegation of Chouhan MP Dhullu Mahto rather replying direct flashed a question, who is this Kanhaie Chouhan DO holder or a political leader ? However, he refused to reply to the actual allegation on him and his brother.
In response to the MP's reply Chouhan said, " it appears the MP has forgotten his old days when I used to help him to make ends meet."
Here,whatsoever be their personal grudges, one fast remains unanswered: who are among those benefiting from this practice of coal theft, rangari from loading points and links with high ups.
