DIMAPUR, MAY 6 (MExN): The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CNCCI) has expressed displeasure at the government’s handling of demands by several quarters for roll back of the COVID-19 cess on diesel and petrol.
“The roll back on the cess has been demanded across the state however, the government instead of responding positively has been trying to justify it with some flimsy explanation,” said the CNCCI.
It alleged that the State Government has been employing a "know it all" attitude and cautioned that this would be “suicidal for the state’s economy.” The CNCCI once again reminded the government that the business community knows the ground reality on business matters “better than the people in government who are taking decision on our behalf.”
It said that the government must first understand the meaning of impact on socio-economic sphere. It said that “universally during such impact,” taxes and cess are cut as any increase of tax or cess will further push the social-economic impact to the edge.
The CNCCI further questioned the logic behind the Chief Secretary’s reported statement that "the increase in price of diesel and petrol will not increase the price of essential commodity in the state." This cannot convince any sane person as essential commodity are transported through fuel powered engines and would like to know the economics behind such claims, the CNCCI stated.
Suggests strong austerity measures instead
It meanwhile issued certain suggestions for the State Government to take in order to tide over the financial difficulties of the state without burdening the common man.
The CNCCI advised strong austerity measures as a first step. Since a large chunk of the state’s income and revenue is spent on payment of salary, it suggested that 25% to 35% of salaries for Class 1 employees to CM’s office should be kept on hold for the next 6 months. The same can be utilized to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, it suggested, till such time that business picks up for the state to earn revenues from GST/SGST, other taxes and income.
It further suggested that all purchased COVID-19 related materials of substandard quality be immediately returned and the money realized be used judiciously. “The government should know that a resource crunched state does not have the luxury of wastages of resource,” it added.
The CNCCI meanwhile reiterated that the organization along with its units would continue to join hands with the government to fight the pandemic.
However the Government should be ready to listen to the genuine grievances of the stake holders and public to win the battle decisively, it asserted.
Mistrust brewing amongst people: MTLT
The Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) has also said that the cess on petrol and diesel will hurt the people of the State.
In a representation to the Chief Secretary, the MTLT said that “there is also a lingering mistrust brewing among the people against the state government and if things are not addressed at the earliest, then the public might rise up against the state government which will lead to serious law and order problem in the state.”
The representation was appended by the MTLT President, Imkummeren Jamir and Convener, Grievances Cell, Aolong Imchen.
