Commissioner of police, Dimapur, in consultation with PHQ will immediately put in place a security grid and take other measures, including stationing sufficient security personnel at various locations to check illegal taxation/extortion.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Special Correspondent
Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) has decided to go ahead with the proposed state-wide business shutdown on September 16. Meanwhile, the government has appealed to CNCCI to reconsider its decision.
In order to deliberate for developing a comprehensive strategy for dealing with the complaints pertaining to “illegal taxation/extortion” in Dimapur district, and also for discussing the matter of collection of items tax/fees by ULBs and certain other issues as contained in the representation submitted by CNCCI to the Nagaland chief secretary on September 9, a meeting was held on September 13 in the conference hall of chief secretary, Nagaland, Kohima, under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister.
According to an official communiqué issued by principal secretary, Home, Abhijit Sinha, after due deliberation, it was decided that the collection of any kind of tax/fees on items/goods that comes under GST regime shall be immediately stopped by all municipalities and town councils across the state and any other government department/agency, which may be collecting tax on any items falling under GST regime shall also give directions for immediately stopping such collections.
The communiqué stated that commissioner of police, Dimapur, in consultation with PHQ will immediately put in place a security grid and take other measures, including stationing sufficient security personnel at various locations to check illegal taxation/extortion.
It also added that the administrators of all the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) would take steps for including the representatives of the business communities of their cities/towns in their advisory committees for taking decisions in respect to various business related activities.
Further, the principal secretary (Home), Nagaland, has appealed the CNCCI to reconsider its proposed state-wide closure of all the shops and business establishments on September 16 and to give support and cooperation to the government departments for tackling the menace of illegal taxation/extortion and also for assisting in further improving the ease of doing business in the State.
Apart from the Nagaland chief secretary, the meeting was attended by Advisor, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, DGP, Additional Chief Secretary and Finance Commissioner, Nagaland, principal secretary, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Principal Secretary, Home, Commissioner, Nagaland, and other senior officers.
Meanwhile, talking to this correspondent, CNCCI chairman, Khekugha Muru, said it appreciates the Nagaland government’s seriousness and response by trying to address the issue at the deputy chief minister’s level involving all the state’s highest government officials.
However, Muru pointed out that some of the solutions that the government has given is “vague” and needs more clarity and secondly, the issue of “multiple taxation” is not only with Dimapur alone but all over Nagaland for which the CNCCI expects the state government to address the issue at the state level.
He further added that CNCCI wanted to send a message that “enough of multiple taxations” by NPGs and therefore, the peaceful proposed business closure in the state still stands.