ACAUT, PAC, NVCO & DDCF express concerns on illigal taxation in Nagaland
DIMAPUR, JUNE 23 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland, Public Action Committee (PAC), the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers Organisation (NVCO) and Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum (DDCF) have expressed concerned that illegal taxations have led to price rise in the State.
A press release from the ACAUT Nagaland said that the business community is reeling under several economic losses due to the pandemic and the "item-wise taxation is the last straw that will break the camel's back.”
It observed that with the Nagaland Government engrossed with day to day issues relating to COVID-19, law and order has become the “first casualty.” Rampant extortion and multiple taxation is happening right under the nose of the authority even at the police check-gates, the ACAUT alleged.
Adding that the tempo towards a political settlement seems to have lost its steam, the ACAUT said that “bent-up frustrations and failed aspirations have negative offshoots in the form of forceful collection and unabated taxation.”
“If the Government of the day does not take the taxation menace by its horn once and for all, there will always be a new factions popping up and fighting over taxation turf and supremacy,” the ACAUT stated. “As the state is fighting an unprecedented battle where state police personnel are engaged 24x7, it is sad that the NNPG's have taken undue advantage of this and started rampant collection of money in Dimapur causing tremendous mental harassment to traders,” it stated. The PAC rued that despite the lockdown due to the pandemic “no mercy have been shown to the traders.”
“We solely depend on other states for all commodities be it hardware, essential commodities etc and the taxation imposed on transportation agencies have reached its zenith where transporters are on the verge of closing down all transportation activities,” it added.
This, the PAC cautioned, will affect the whole state and cripple our state economy as all businesses depend on transporters to deliver goods.
It appealed to the State Government to protect its citizens from such illegal rampant collection. “The state government is not unaware of these activities and the silence only reveals its incapability, complacent attitude or is in connivance with these elements,” the PAC said.
It meanwhile also condemned the Central Government for not being sincere in implementing the Cease Fire Ground Rules. “Ceasefire has literally not benefited Nagas in reality; lives may have been saved but the misery of the public has tripled which only shows that the onus has been shifted to the public to bear,” the PAC stated.
It therefore appealed to both the State government and Government of India to reign in unabated illegal collection of money rampantly taking place in Dimapur.
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) asked citizens not to take advantage of the situation by charging prices of goods and services in exorbitant rate. The NVCO stated that several groups and individuals are also almost extorting money by selling essential goods and charging services in exorbitant rates such as fresh vegetables, meat, transportation charges/taxi, etc. A press release from the NVCO said that in Kohima, consumers were paying to the extent Rs 1000 for 2.5 kgs of pork and beef which was more than double the rate set by the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC). These practices may not be in the main market but it is happening in almost all the colonies in Kohima town and nearby villages, it informed.
It meanwhile appreciated the NSCM (IM) UT Office in their appeal to Dimapur District Administration & DMC to strictly implement the existing rate fixed by DMC.
The NVCO urged all Naga National Political Group not to impose tax and practice syndicate system upon the business community as the consumers finally bear the brunt. It also condemned illegal tax collection and syndicate system. The NVCO encouraged local entrepreneurs/traders to take over wholesale dealerships so as to control the market and to build investment and transaction within the state of Nagaland.
The Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum (DDCF) termed it most unfortunate that collection of various taxes from the already affected shops and business establishments are going on rampantly which results in price escalations. A press release from the DDCF urged everyone, irrespective of group affiliation, to understand the present prevailing situation and refrain from such unabated taxation. “Rather, help the citizens by putting a check on the high rise of the price of commodities for the welfare of the people of Dimapur in particular and Nagaland in general,” it appealed.
The DDCF meanwhile called upon the concerned authorities to look into this issue.
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