AGARTALA, Feb 26 (TIWN) : Atleast 300 vehicles are entering Tripura daily without giving any tax to the state govt. by bribing officials and using the alternative road-way of NH-44, but bribe-happy police and revenue authorities are playing mute spectator’s role and busy in collecting money and thus grabbing a lion’s share of the illegal business. TIWN correspondent has secretly clicked many pictures when the illegal export-import was going on at that area. The place has been identified as Kurti Jerjeri which has become the centre for illegal exchanges between the neighboring States Assam and Tripura. Reportedly, the big trucks with chips cross the Tripura border(illegally) near Kurti Jerjeri area, where they exchange material by mini trucks. More interestingly, they give total Rs. 900/- to the police and sale tax dept, and MVI, whereas if they had come by legal way they had to pay atleast Rs. 1,300/- to the state govt.

Among that 900 rupees, the businessmen give 300 rupees to police, 300 to the Sale Tax Dept. and 300 to the MVI.If they come via the legal road (that is the NH-44 at Churabari Checkpost) they would have to shell out total Rs. 1,300 to Govt. But as they enter illegally, it causes crores of loss to Tripura Govt. As  estimated ,S ale Tax dept profits more than 2 lakhs per day, where police, MVI takes the major share. State govt. losing revenue of Rs. 7 to 8 lakhs per day,  which is roughly around Rs 2 crores per month.

Both chips and bricks are being brought via that road. The vehicles from Assam comes till a bridge at Assam-Tripura border and then the rest of the materials are taken by small vehicles into Tripura.

Most importantly, TIWN Photographer has recorded how the dealers used to this illegal business and running the business since long time. The illegal business was started since that time, when the NH-44 was closed during construction time.

However, state govt. has no intension to stop the illegal business at Assam-Tripura border.