Business communities across Nagaland are facing the brunt of “illegal multiple taxations” by organised groups besides taxes imposed by government agencies, including Municipal and Town Councils.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Special Correspondent
Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), as its first phase of protest against Nagaland government’s inaction against its grievances put forth, has decided to go for a total shutdown (business hours) of all shops and business establishments on September 16 in Dimapur.
Business communities across the state are facing the brunt of “multiple taxations” by various Naga Political Groups (NPGs) besides taxes imposed by government agencies, including Municipal and Town Council, which have burdened them and made it difficult for them to engage in any business activities said DCCI president Akashe Zhimomi.
Talking to this correspondent, Akashe Zhimomi informed that the total shutdown will cover the restriction of goods transport entry into Dimapur as against various DMC taxes/fees at check gates collected on GST items.
He said that the steps were initiated due to the silence maintained by the government to the “plight” of the business community on “multiple and rampant illegal taxation” by various groups as well as government agencies.
“The state government has so far not taken any concrete steps or gave assurance on the issue of illegal and multiple taxations. The one-day total shutdown is the first phase of the business community’s protest against the inaction of the state government and its machinery,” Akashe added.
Though he did not disclose the next course of action if the state government fails to address their grievances at the earliest, Akashe said that the DCCI would be compelled to resort to extreme course of action with “Plan B” by imposing “indefinite shutdown” of the commercial hub of Nagaland, Dimapur.
He also on behalf of the DCCI, has appealed to the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CNCCI), the apex business body of Nagaland and all its district chambers, to lend support and solidarity to the common issue.
Akashe further requested the general public to extend support as the issue of illegal and multiple taxations affected each and every citizen of the state.
Also speaking to this correspondent, Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) chairman, Kegugha Murru, said that the CNCCI would support” the DCCI proposed “total shutdown” on September 16.
He highlighted that it is not only the issue of Dimapur district alone where business communities face the kind of multiple taxations by various Naga Political Groups (NPGs) besides taxes being imposed by government and other agencies.
Murru informed that during its executive meeting held in the month of April which was attended by all its member districts, the same matter was discussed at length but the matter could not be pursued further owing to the pandemic.
Earlier, in its three-point representation addressed to the chief secretary, Nagaland, the CNCCI has reiterated that multiple taxation by various Naga Political Groups (NPGs) besides taxes imposed by government agencies, including Municipal and Town Councils, have burdened the business communities.
Meanwhile, the Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has also alleged that the cadres of various armed groups under ceasefire were interfering with trade and commerce activities and collecting “taxes” from various business houses, instead of remaining confined to their designated camps.
BAN said that unabated taxation by Naga Political Groups (NPGs) and multiple taxes on every consumer item had exceeded all tolerance limits. It said the association wondered whether the Centre had given the “Ceasefire Signatories” the licence to collect rations and expenses in the name of “taxation”.
The association had further reiterated that the Naga public mandate was for “One Government, One Tax” as declared on October 13, 2013.