Consumer Forum asks State Government to remove illegal collection
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 20
Following a memorandum submitted to the Governor of Nagaland by the GB Federation against rampant tax levy by both Government agencies and civil societies in the state, a similar representation has been forwarded to the Government by the Nagaland Voluntary Consumer Organization (NVCO), demanding removal/stoppage of illegal tax collections and relatively, reduction of existent authorized taxes on National and State highways and By-Lanes.
Demanding from authorized tax-collection agencies such as District Administrations, Taxation and Forest Department in all headquarters to immediately initiate effective measures to remove illegal collections, the NVCO in a representation to the Chief Secretary, Nagaland, also asked that existent authorized taxes be reduced. Citing an instance, NVCO’s president Kezhokhotov Savi stated that departments such as the Veterinary & Animal Husbandry imposing a levy of Rs 1350 on a single vehicle was extremely high the matter which must be looked into, adding that coupons were required to be signed by a doctor. “But the concerned expert officer is never seen on the spot and collections are done by mere staff who does not know anything about the security of animals and poultry” the representation stated.
The NVCO made mention as examples several civil societies including Dimapur Poultry Farmers Association and Local Transportation Organization whose activities should be immediately checked while action should be instigated against Nagaland Police check gates, levying taxes arbitrarily, the representation stated. The NVCO added that the Local Transportation Organization maintains a pay counter on the same spot as the Nagaland Police at Chumukedima Check Gate and demanded that the former should be stopped as NGOs possess no right to collect taxes.
Also, while holding the rampant, illegal tax collections as a reason for spiraling of prices in essential commodities, the consumers’ organization also alleged frequent harassment meted out to commercial transporters, particularly truckers. It related an incident when the NVCO president hired a truck on January 4, 2006 for sand, it was found that Nagaland Police personnel did not have receipts on the tax levied.
The Nagaland police charged no less than Rs 100 per truck at Khuzama Check Gate (Khuzama Police station) while even empty trucks paid no less than Rs 10, the NVO stated. In a similar case, it also alleged that personnel at the Phesama Check Gate were indulging in wanton tax collection. The organization also took exception to the Forest Department counter at Chumukedima, who, it was alleged, were ‘giving options’ to pay Rs 50 without receipt or Rs 130 with receipt.
The reason for this transpired later that the option to pay Rs 50 without receipt at Chumukedima Check gate provided an opportunity to the Forest Department’s counter at the By-pass, Kohima, to charge another Rs 50. The NVCO also questioned the legitimacy of the Chumukedima Town Council to collect Rs 30 per vehicle as Transit pass on National Highway 39 while the Municipal Council charged Rs 50 to Rs 200 as toll tax.
In the light of the matter, the NVCO urged the Nagaland Government to look into the matter on top-priority basis and assured full co-operation from the organization to stop the tax menace.
However it also warned that in case of failure on the part of the state Government to address the issue, the NVCO would be compelled to resort to further actions for justice “which may go against the State Government”.
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