Shillong, Jan. 6: Concerned over red-tapism and loss of revenue to the state government, a Shillong-based NGO has asked chief secretary W.M.S. Pariat to entrust the task of collecting taxes to the public, especially unemployed youths who are the stakeholders.

In an open letter to the chief secretary, Civil Society Women’s Organisation president Agnes Kharshiing said today that the general public and the unemployed youths of the state wish to work with the administration.

“We want to ensure that the money goes to the exchequer of the state government following the appropriate collection of taxes in the interest of state and also to help in smooth and authentic implementation of all central and state schemes. In addition to this, the general public of Meghalaya and many unemployed youths, offer to assist in the proper implementation of various schemes to ensure that there are no diversion of funds,” she said.

Kharshiing also said people can join hands with the government to check the rise in prices of commodities.

Suggesting a remedial measure to check traffic snarl in the state, Kharshiing said the stakeholders can initiate a strategy that will automatically reduce the number of trucks and vehicles on the roads.

“Trucks that are paying all along the highways should be booked for not carrying relevant papers and there are also many old trucks which ply along national highways, which are not in good condition,” she said.

According to Kharshiing, the trucks without relevant papers are paying officers, who are manning the checkgates. If the government can stop this trend, traffic congestion in the city can be controlled, she said.

“If the stakeholders are given responsibility, the data entries related to the tax collection will be prompt and all services will be rendered within a specific time-frame so that the people need not wait long for the services that they are paying for,” Kharshiing added.