Govt directed to look into illegal toll collection

NEW DELHI, July 31:
Government was today directed to look into
reports of illegal collection of toll on national highways after members cutting across party lines in the Lok Sabha expressed grave concern over the practice.
The main grouse of members was that the construction companies start collecting tax even before completion of the project which was illegal.
Minister of Road Transport and Highways Krishnapal Gurjar’s reply to the supplementaries, which related to National Highway between Varanasi to Aurangabad during Question Hour, could not satisfy the members. They said they want to know what specific action the government
was going to take to correct the situation. Sensing members’ strong feelings on this issue, Speaker Sumitra
Mahajan directed the Minister to look into the matter. Earlier, the Minister in a written reply to the main question said there was provision in the Concession Agreement of some projects
for collection of user fee on partial completion and in such cases
user fee was levied and collected for the completed length of the project.
He said companies were required to inform the National Highway Authority about applicable fee and detailed calculation at least 15 days prior to the revision of fee. They will not revise, display or collect any amount in excess of the rates of fee payable under the Fee Rule. (UNI)

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