ACAUT Nagaland has reminded the state government to lay down the report of the High Powered Committee (HPC) on unabated taxation and implement HPC recommendation including setting up of Lokayukta at least by monsoon session.
ACAUT co-convener, Joel Nillo Naga, said government has remained silent since the HPC on unabated taxation submitted its report on June last. He cautioned that if government failed to reveal the report, ACAUT would take its own course of action.
He also pointed out that unless recommendation of HPC implemented and Lokayukta constituted, unabated taxation and corruption would continue.
Extending ACAUT solidarity to Nagaland Timber Traders Union (NTTU)’s single tax demand, Joel said NTTU’s allegation has been addressed in HPC report.
It may be mentioned that Nagaland governor through a notification constituted a four-member HPC in August 2014 to look into the issue of illegal and multiple taxations as per complaints from public and civil societies and to go into the genesis of the causes and conditions that facilitated “such harmful practices” and identify those behind it. HPC had submitted their report to the Chief Minister on June 2015.
On anti-extortion cells
Meanwhile, ACAUT Nagaland in a press release has demanded to know from the police department as to why none of the district police establishments have announced the setting up of Anti-Extortion Cells(AECs) and Quick Reaction Teams(QRTs) despite such directive issued by the DGP Nagaland on September 14,2015. According to ACAUT, the DGP in the memorandum, had directed all SPs/commissioners of districts to set up the AECs and QRTs. Media cell maintained that due to its numerous petitions on such issue to the state government, the government of India “finally directed” the state government to establish AECs and QRTs in all districts.
ACAUT media cell therefore, asserted that the PHQ need to issue necessary clarification as to whether the directive of the DGP was implemented in letter and in spirit.Further, it also opined that if affirmative, then what was it kept under a veil of secrecy when the first thing would have been to publicly announce the formation of the two set ups.
ACAUT media cell said that pending clarification to the issue it has raised, it would be compelled to believe that “external factors” could have forced PHQ to stop taking up such commendable measures.