GUWAHATI, March 6 � In one of the biggest ever seizure in the North East, the Central Excise Department has seized 91 trucks laden with coal worth nearly Rs 6 crore from two different locations in the State in the last 24 hours.
While 81 trucks carrying coal weighing 1188.97 metric tonnes were seized from Khanapara since late last night, nine more trucks laden with 81 metric tonnes of coal were seized from Badarpur area in Barak Valley.
The coal-laden trucks, which were coming from Meghalaya, were intercepted at Khanapara and subsequently seized on charges of not paying Central Excise Duty, sources stated.
The drive was carried out jointly with Customs Preventive, NER, Shillong and the Assam Police.
An official press statement from the Chief Commissioner of Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax, Shillong, informed that the anti-evasion drive was carried out in view of the reluctance and non-compliance of the coal miners in the Jaintia and West Khasi Hills areas in Meghalaya in getting themselves registered with Central Excise authorities and pay the applicable excise duties.
