Shillong Nov 14: The state transport department was asked to submit its action taken report within three months in connection with the recovery of revenue loss to the tune of Rs 152.56 crore.

This directive was given to the department by the State Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

“The committee in its deliberation has taken serious note of the CAG report for the year ended March 31, 2017 which clearly indicated lapses in the department which led to revenue loss of Rs 152.56 crore,” PAC chairman, Charles Pyngrope said on Wednesday.

One of the main reasons was the non performance or ineffectiveness of officers concerned to take action on penalties and other taxes which could have raised the state’s exchequer.

Congress legislator from Rangsakona Zenith Sangma informed that there were 52 cases of revenue loss detected, which include 22 cases relating to short realisation of revenue amounting to Rs 49 crore and 23 cases related to other irregularities amounting to Rs 101.80 crore.

Senior officials of the transport department who were summoned by the PAC, have assured to recover the revenue loss from various defaulters.

“We have given the department three months time to submit its action taken report,” Zenith Sangma said.

The PAC has also directed the department to ensure that the two weigh bridges one at Umling in Ri Bhoi District and another at 7th Mile in West Jaintia Hills District to pay tax of Rs 7 crore each, which was not realised till today.

Congress MLA from Mawsynram, Himalaya Shangpliang said, the department has been also asked to fix the responsibility on those responsible for allowing overloaded trucks to ply and ferry limestone which has resulted to revenue loss of Rs 10.51 crore.

“About 66,000 metric tons of limestone have been transported, without any accounts from April 2015 to March 2016 while over 19,000 trucks were allowed to pass through the check gates without proper documents including the weightment slips,” he said.