When there is a “state government”, it is not fair enough that “another” government should impose “taxes” where the business communities have to face the maximum brunt of “extortion” as the Nagaland state government does not even “look” into it, said DCCI.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Special Correspondent
Voicing its resentment over the NSCN (I-M) called total shutdown of business activities in the state, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), on Tuesday expressed its “displeasure” over the same.
Stating that enforcing the kind of “lightning” call by the NSCN (I-M) that no business should be entertained during a time when the sustainability of an individual or a family is at stake, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Akashe Zhimomi, also said that it should be known that the business communities particularly Dimapur being the commercial hub do not get any assistance from the State Government.
Urging the state government to listen to the Naga business communities where 99% of the business in the state has been taken over by the “non-local”, Akashe was also of the view that the discrepancy in it lies on the State government as they also “impose” certain tax which could be known from media.
In the light of the same, Akashe also felt that when the business communities are suffering from “nil” income along with the common people, the State Government should have the courtesy to look after the business communities by securing them from any “elements”.
He also added that when there is a “government”, it is not fair enough that “another” government should impose “taxes” where the business communities have to face the maximum brunt of “extortion” as the Nagaland State Government doesn’t even “look” into it.
On Dimapur, the commercial “hub” of Nagaland being shut down for most of the days since the pandemic, Akashe, while highlighting “on letter or intimidation” or request for closure of whole of the business establishments, was of the view that Dimapur being a commercial hub, it has faced “economic losses” but maintained that it was for a “cause” for the Nagas.
However, Akashe lamented that if “they” had any plan of the closure of business activities, it has to be consulted with the business communities and also keeping in mind that “pandemic” is on.
Though the business is somehow surviving, Akashe, meanwhile has also voiced his concern over “uniformed personnel” seen halting heavy vehicles carrying essential commodities from the stretch of Purana Bazaar to Chumukedima, despite no order being issued for checking as it has been already declared as “national highway”.
The NSCN (I-M) called for total closure of shops and business establishments in Nagaland starting August 1 midnight till August 3 afternoon to protest against the Government of India (GoI) for keeping silent on the “Framework Agreement (FA)” even after six years, wherein a “confusion” erupted in the state as business bodies and others voicing their resentments against directives.
Moreover, as per the consultation with the District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) (Confederate), there has been consensus that there should be business as usual on August 3 for which the district chamber has been directed not to be confused but to conduct business as usual.