PALAKKAD : With a view to evading tax, the byroads along Kerala-Tamil Nadu border are abuzz with illicit transport of commodities, which are sometimes adulterated.
The inflow of commodities like oil, chicken, rice etc is rampant through the routes.
There are a total of 16 minor and major checkposts in the border in between Anakkatty to Chemmanampathy.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Commercial Taxes A A Abdulla, there are 22 recognised side roads in the Walayar-Chemmanampathy stretch.
An official of the Excise Department on condition of anonymity told ‘Express’ that unofficially there are over 100 byroads between Anakkatty and Chemmanampathy. The illegal flow of commodities is on the rise especially at Mattathukadu and Mulli secondary routes in Anakkatty region and Ellapottan Kovil at Chittur region, near Meenakshipuram, the official said.
TN Oil Mafia
A Tamil Nadu-based oil mafia exports thousands of litres of adulterated coconut oil under the pretext of pure coconut oil to the state. The mafia, uses the many shortcuts quite unknown to cops and excise sleuths in the forest on the border, to transport adulterated oil.
In August, Kongad police seized 600 litres of adulterated coconut oil kept in 40 cans
from a house. The Food Safety Officers claimed helplessness over the issue as the offenders can avoid getting caught as the oil was not being transported through the checkposts. “We have been trying to identify these shortcuts with the help of police and once we get to know about it we will definitely catch them,” said Ramachandran C P, Food Safety Officer.
When contacted A A Abdulla admitted that closing all byroads or opening check posts at these spots is quite impossible.
“Most of these roads pass though farmlands or private properties. They are not permanent roads and changes direction after heavy rains. Only mini lorries can easily pass through these routes,” said the Deputy Commissioner of Commercial Taxes.
Intensifying patrolling can be a remedy to the problem to a certain extent.
“At present, 13 squads conduct patrolling in the region. For effective patrolling we need 20 more squads. The State Intelligence Wing has to provide squads. Now we have given a request to start one checkpost at Ellapottan Kovil,” Abdulla said.