Now, contractors at IAF station allege ‘goonda tax’

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 18

Amid the uproar over collection of “goonda tax” at the Guru Gobind Singh Refinery here, contractors engaged with the Bhisiana Air Force Station have alleged similar extortion. 

Pleading anonymity, a contractor carrying out construction work inside the IAF station, said, “We’ve been facing problems in getting the supply of material such as sand and gravel for the past 15 days. We are incurring losses due to the high-handedness of some elements in the local transport union.”

Another contractor claimed that they had been paying “goonda tax” of Rs 2,500-3,000 per trolley of sand. But now, those extorting money were not allowing vehicles to pass despite them being ready to pay the same. They are hinting that they now want more money from contractors and suppliers, he alleged. He said they’ve also taken up the matter with the Air Force authorities and the police. 

Bathinda SSP Naveen Singla said he was not aware of any such complaint and if they’ve lodged one, it would be addressed on priority. He said nobody would be allowed to collect “goonda tax”.