April 5: Vigilance staff working under the municipal comissioner recently nabbed a truck loaded with goods on the Panvel-Mumbai highway which entered Mumbai without paying Rs 2.60 lakh of octroi. The owner had stashed the truck (MH-05-3864) with boxes of 14 inch computer monitors under soda bottles. As soda bottles are not scheduled in the octroi list, the staff at the Bhiwandi check naka allowed the vehicle to pass.However, the vigilance squad which had been alerted were on the lookout at Bhiwandi check naka along the Eastern Express Highway and in and around the Mankhurd bridge, where they managed to nab the truck.
Two octroi inspectors, one marker and superintendent each has been found negligent in their duty. An officila said it would not have been possible for the truck to enter the city without the connivance of the four staff. In a report submitted to the commissioner, a demand to suspend the four staff has been made. According to Mayor Nandu Satam, the owner will have to cough up Rs 26 lakh or goto court.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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