DIMAPUR, APRIL 5 (MExN): The Against Corruption And Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland continues to draw support and strength for its campaign on ‘One Government One Tax’. This was clear after the ACAUT Nagaland’s first phase of an all-Nagaland State tour from March 24-29, 2014, covering the districts of Mon, Longleng, Mokokchung, Tuensang, Wokha and the sub-division of Tseminyu.
While civil society, and the people, from these districts showed their “full support” to the ACAUT and its objectives, informed a press release from its media cell, every district brought some unique perspectives to the ACAUT team to discuss and deliberate on for the future.
In Mon, president of KSU, Loung-ai Wangnao, raised the pertinent issue of NGOs in Nagaland going on numerous “donation drives,” to which the ACAUT Nagaland responded by passing a resolution that “no NGOs, including student bodies, should undertake any sort of donation drives in the market.”
In Longleng, the Phom people promised to take up the slogan ‘One Government One Tax’ with all 37 villages in Longleng district. Importantly, the Phom leaders suggested that no village councils and tribal Hohos should give “Recommendation letter” to any individual seeking to join the Naga armed factions as it “contradicts the principle of One Government One Tax.”
While leaders in Mokokchung, stated the press release, promised to take up the issue of ‘One Government One Tax’ at an “appropriate time,” the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industries expressed concern that government agencies like the police, veterinary, Forest and Excise department collect tax at the gates and other locations. A serious allegation of misconduct was shared where Excise personnel harass truck drivers by making them declare every consignment in the truck item wise if traders refuse to pay up. It was also learnt by the ACAUT that “Forest personnel collect money from shops which is clearly illegal.”
Tuensang town, as per the people of the town, is plagued by syndicate system, termed Agencies. A respected citizen of Tuensang Town informed that the “police tax even the plying taxis and checking is more for Tuensang vehicles.” The ACAUT Nagaland expressed that “this is one reason why Eastern Nagaland people feel alienated.” One of the unions from the region stated that “tax deducted by Nagaland government is more than UG tax.” He alleged that after deductions, contractors are left with only 25% of the work order amount to carry out the actual work. It was stated there that GBs in Tuensang “should not collect tax on behalf of the UGs.”
It was also revealed that Tuensang Village, as well as the landowners of Tuensang town, have “not been paying tax to any of the factions in Nagaland since 1995 save for the period 2004-05.” Tuensang village, according to the ACAUT, is the “only village in Nagaland” to abide by the principle of ‘One Government One Tax’ for almost 20 years now.
In Wokha, public leaders informed that “one of the UG factions had warned Kyong leaders not to set up local ACAUT in Wokha district.” Nonetheless, due to the untiring and bold effort of business and community leaders, the syndicate system in essential commodities prevalent in Wokha till 2013 was “smashed.”
Tseminyu sub division brought to the table that their MNREGA funds for villages in the area were not being properly sanctioned. A village chairman also complained that most of the tribal Hohos and church leaders in Nagaland have been “bought over by Bolero vehicles gifted by Ministers or are under the monetary influence of politicians and thus corrupted.”
The ACAUT has expressed gratefulness to the people of these districts for welcoming it “enthusiastically into their midst.” During the course of our tour, the ACAUT Nagaland noted, “every arrangement was made for our comfortable stay and special appreciation may be made to the Chamber of Commerce of all the districts.”
