It is not the first time that public have come out strongly against illegal multiple taxations and syndication of business as many mega rallies were held in Dimapur notably October 31, 2013 (Clock Tower Junction) and August 25, 2017 (Naga Shopping Arcade) but the state government has not taken action to eradicate these menaces that have destroyed business, burdened the public and promoting Dimapur’s infamous ‘taxation industry’.
The crowd at the public rally organised by the Naga Council’s Public Action Committee (PAC) at Khermahal Junction on Wednesday (October 31, 2018) was not as expected despite all shops and business establishment including some schools closed for the rally.
Various speakers vented their ire against those involved in these illegal businesses (multiple taxation) besides blaming the government for not taking any action as per the law, to curb such activities.
PAC convenor, Vekhosayi Nyekha reiterated that multiple taxation (taxing the same item at gates, godowns and shops etc by various organisations, unions, welfare committees), syndicates and lessees (appointed by Naga Political Groups- NPGs) have overburdened the business and resulting in sky rocketing of prices which the common citizens have to bear. He also charged some government agencies of being hand-in-glove with “unscrupulous tax collections” and the law enforcement for a lackadaisical approach to such crimes. Nyekha also slammed NPGs for being busy only for threatening and collecting illegal taxes from the people instead of “fighting for their freedom.”
Mincing no words, Nyekha said “we bow our heads in shame as NPGs are behaving like snakes”. He said NPGs must change and heed the voices of their people. He said NPGs were collecting “ill-gotten money to construct houses, buy luxury cars and thinking they can secure their future but instead, are only destroying themselves.” Nyekha also slammed the government of India for “playing dirty games” by prolonging negotiations that only result in mushrooming of factions and demanded immediate solution to the Naga political issue.
Naga Council president T. Bangerloba suggested a four-point strategy to deal with illegal and multiple taxation and syndication business such as –removal of all collection gates; bringing solution to the Naga issue; proactive engagement by public against such illegal collections and Naga National workers themselves stop and prevent such collections.
Member of Fact Finding Committee of the PAC and prominent citizen, Hekhevi Achumi in his speech also minced no words while attacking NPGs, unions/organisations, government and law enforcement agencies. Hekhevi maintained that illegal tax collections and syndication of all business and trade has become a thriving multi-billion industry involving transactions of Rs.400 crore to Rs.500 crore annually. He hit out at NPGs describing them as those who only think of making money without sleeping for nights.
Hekhevi also gave a break up of how much taxes were imposed for goods trucks entering Dimapur with taxes depending on size of the truck, godown tax, agency tax and shop tax totalling Rs.26,000 to Rs.32,000 per truck. He also alleged that police personnel at check gates collected Rs.600 per truck and Rs.450 for medium sized truck.
Hekhevi also blamed syndicate system for shooting up prices of commodities. He cited that while a kilo of potato in Dimapur cost Rs.30, at nearby Bokajan market it costs only Rs.16.
He disclosed that the most thriving business of all in Dimapur is the flea market (second hand clothes) where the syndicate involved earns around Rs.72 lakh a year. He said ‘Pan patta syndicate’ comprising of six dealers/groups collect a total of Rs.1500 per basket of pan patta and a total of Rs.54 lakh in a year. He also disclosed that the veterinary syndicate of six agencies earn around Rs.62 lakh annually while the geology & mining department levies Rs.350 on every truck carrying minerals that enter Nagaland besides Rs.2800 per truck as mineral tax.
Advisor of Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) advocate Pius Lotha spoke of how illegal activities have become a booming business in Dimapur and affecting all other parts of Nagaland with regard to prices of commodities.
Pius said despite so many mounting evidences of rampant illegal taxation and syndication, the state government acted as if it was also hand-in-glove in these rackets.
He said the primary response is that the state government legislate a law such as Maharashtra Control of Crime Act (MCOCA) enacted in 1999 to combat such organised crimes and terrorism.
Pius said without such an act, those arrested would not be effectively prosecuted but be out on bail every time.
He reminded that after the second and the largest anti-illegal collection rally organised by ACAUT in August 2017 in Dimapur, the state government had constituted a High Power Committee to go into the entire issue and recommend steps. The HPC had submitted its recommendation but till date, the state government has neither disclosed the recommendations nor taken any steps in implementing them.
Representative of Tenyemi people and advisor APO, Savi Liegise recalled the protests held against illegal taxations during 2013 and that not much has changed after that.
He encouraged public not to be afraid of criticizing the government and also appealed to NPGs not to use guns for extracting money and asked certain sections of business community not to exploit citizens.
Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD) president Sungsabeni Jungio reminded that the rally was not direct at any particular group, organisation or individual but at those who want to live luxurious life on the sweat of others.
She also lamented on how the unabated taxes have affected normal life and the non-existence of price control mechanism where providing even basic nutritious food for children has become a big luxury. Jungio demanded that strict action be taken against business firms involved in such activities by cancelling their trade licenses.
Speaking on behalf of non-Naga communities of Dimapur, president of Bengali Samaj K.K. Pal regretted the poor turnout of non-Nagas at the rally despite the fact that most of those involved in business came from non-Naga community. He urged non-Naga citizens of Dimapur which he described as “mini India” to be part of the diversity.
ENPO leader W. Lemba Chang in his speech described mushrooming of illegal collections as a “cottage industry” which he opined, was because of failure of the system. Lemba said presently, the state was dominated by economic criminals and offenders so much so that there is no difference between legal and illegal taxation. Instead of creating an environment conducive to commerce and trade, he said people have no choice but deal with illegal collections.
NCD vice president K. Ghokheto Chophy while delivering the vote of thanks, slammed the non-Naga business community for not showing up at the rally to express solidarity with citizens against illegal collections which the business community bear the brunt. A total of 19 Dimapur-based organisations took part and included-NWHD, DCCI, DUCCF, GBs Union (Sadar), BAN, educational institutions, non-Naga businessmen and well wishers.