Pala’s claims on illegal check gates set off firestorm in Parliament; Meghalaya

On Wednesday, Lok Sabha member Vincent H Pala sparked a stir in Parliament by claiming that unlawful check gates were operating on national highways in Meghalaya, effectively acting as ATMs for the state administration and legislators.

“The majority of MLAs, including those in government, work hand in hand in operating such unlawful check gates and minting money from hundreds of vehicles on a regular basis. “I was surprised to see that such illegal check gates are in use in the presence of state police,” he stated.

“These are all illegal check gates as per the standards,” Pala emphasised when a perplexed treasury bench asked if they were check gates or toll gates. The bulk of MLAs, according to Pala, have their own check gates on national routes. According to him, there are numerous unlawful check gates on the Shillong-Nongstoin, Shillong-Jowai, and Shillong-Guwahati roads.

In the landlocked hill state, the proliferation of unlawful checkpoints has resulted in delayed travel and outrageous increases in the prices of various items. He went on to say that business operators are transferring unlawful monies to ordinary consumers and travellers.

Pala claimed that on a 200-kilometer stretch of roadway in his own constituency, there are 22 unlawful check gates spaced 5 to 10 kilometres apart. He claims that this is generating traffic bottlenecks and accidents. “I’ve written letters and believe that an investigation will reveal the truth,” he continued.