Thanthan Hungyo
July 30
DIMAPUR (MExN): Illegal tax collection on transport vehicles by various registered or unregistered unions/associations still remain rampant in the State even after the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur had passed an order directing the associations to collect their approved fees only at their respective offices. The order contained a warning note that cautioned these associations from collecting any unauthorized membership/transit fees at check gates, roads or national highways. Such taxes are usually levied at the New Field Check Gate, Dimapur.
A truck owner, who showed documentary evidence to The Morung Express, claims that he was subject to pay certain amount as membership fee to seven different unions recently on July 4.
This incident occurred after the DC’s order had already been passed. The taxes were collected at the New Dhansiri Bridge Dimapur Municipal Council Toll booth situated along National Highway 39.
When contacted, the Chairman of the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), Vikheho Awomi said that the truck owner should have alerted the police and administration at the time of imposition of the taxes. He reacted that the truck owner should have asked the law to intervene and not write provocative statements as done by the truck owner in some local dailies. Later, the DMC Chairman assured that defaulting tax collectors of the DMC would be duly punished. The Chairman has also requested the District Administration to designate a separate Toll booth to the DMC so that tax payee(s) could distinguish the authorized DMC toll collection centre from unauthorized ones.
It may be mentioned that the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers Organization (NVCO) had earlier appealed to the general public to protest against such illegal collections.
This appeal was made by the NVCO in the aftermath of setting up of illegal tax collection offices along national and state highways by a number of registered and unregistered unions/associations. This is in direct defiance to the government order which prohibits such actions.
