Kohima: As every year during festival season in Nagaland has faced people becoming victims of festive season hardship due to illegal taxations, demand notes and donations especially on the business community by various underground outfits, organizations, unions and even by the Government agencies.
According to a press release issued by organisations, unions and business communities from all the areas of the state, the unwanted taxations compelled the business community to recover their illegal taxes from the common people by increasing the prices of the commodities in all places in the state, but there was no complaint from the general public.
Recently the Frontal organisations based in Zunheboto town have resolved to prohibit any form of taxation, donations or contributions within the town and its markets during the festive season.
A decision to this effect was taken during a joint meeting between the Zunheboto Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Zunheboto Town Gaon Burha Association, Consumer Rights Organisation Zunheboto, Zunheboto Range Students’ Union, Zunheboto Area Public Organisation and Zunheboto Sumi Totimi Hoho.
In a joint press release informed that the leaders expressed displeasure over confrontations and various incidents on the issue of taxations and donations, and urged for an air of peace and calm during the festive season and the presidents of the six organisations also sought the cooperation of the Zunheboto Deputy Commissioner, the release stated.
A press release issued by the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry has informed that rampant collections are going-on in their areas, even by threatening of lives in towns and villages, the business community in Dimapur has started facing harassment in the form of illegal taxation, demand letters and donation drives by various government agencies, Naga political groups, organizations and unions.
The DCCI appealed to organizations and unions including the Naga political groups and Government agencies to refrain from any kind of taxation, extortion and fund drive. It further urged the authority concerned to deploy additional security for the safety of the business community during this season. Any shopkeeper receiving illegal taxation threats are to immediately report to the Police for necessary action, it informed.
The DCCI observed that the commercial hub Dimapur is fast becoming a taxation industry with the result that prices of goods and commodities even in interior districts are lower than in Dimapur. It also appealed to the public to be vocal in their stance against all forms of illegal taxation and collections and not squarely blame the business community for price rise.
It appreciated the State Government for proclaiming that no additional tax would be imposed on GST goods, however, it informed that some Government agencies are still imposing an illegal tax, but it is nothing but money demanded from transporters at check gates and intersections, it said.
