DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 2 (MExN): The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) has stated that “as usual,” this festive season too, the business community in Dimapur has started facing harassment in the form of illegal taxation, demand letters and donation drives by various government agencies, Naga political groups, organizations and unions.
A press release from the DCCI said” “we are also human beings, we also have families and wish to celebrate Christmas or New Year like any other citizen.”
While appreciating the State Government for announcing that no additional tax would be imposed on GST goods, it however informed that some government agencies are still imposing illegal taxation; a case in point is the money demanded from transporters at check gates and intersections.
The State Government must come out with clear guidelines and instructions on what is ‘legal tax’ and what is ‘illegal tax’ in order to check the rot within its agencies, it said.
The DCCI observed that due to such rampant illegal taxation, Dimapur is fast becoming a taxation industry with the result that prices of goods and commodities even in interior districts are lower than in Dimapur. “The public should also be firm and vocal in their stance against all forms of illegal taxation and collections and not squarely put the blame on the business community for price rise,” it added.
The DCCI appealed to organizations and unions including the Naga political groups and government agencies to refrain from any kind of taxation/extortion/fund drive.
It further urged the authority concerned to deploy additional security for the safety of the business community during this season. “Any business house or shopkeeper receiving illegal taxation/donation threats are to immediately report to the Police for necessary action,” it informed. It asked all shops and business houses not to entertain any form of illegal taxation.
The DCCI meanwhile asked all business houses and shopkeepers to clean and decorate their respective shops and premises in view of the festive season. It further appealed to all shopkeepers/ business houses/traders and citizens to strictly follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviors. The DCCI also extended Christmas and New Year greetings to the citizens of Dimapur.
