While expressing appreciation and full support towards the “good intention” of NSCN/GPRN (Khango) to impose ban on illegal drugs, already banned internationally, and alcohol, the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI), has clarified that tobacco products were being legally sold with proper licence and after paying Goods & Service Tax (GST) to the State government.
Reacting to ban on sale of tobacco by NSCN/GPRN(Khango), CNCCI also expressed surprise at the deafening silence of the State government over the recent ban imposed on sale of tobacco by NSCN/GPRN (Khango).
CNCCI through its media affairs, clarified that it did not in any way, endorse or promote tobacco consumption, and demanded that the State government clarify on whether tobacco was a banned substance or legal product sold in the market, as Goods & Service Tax is being collected from the sale of tobacco products.
The trade body also demanded that the state government publicly declare as to whether it is the authority to regulate such matters or had this been delegated?.
CNCCI also dared the government to tell Naga people as to whose authority and governance should the Naga public follow, as there were multiple and overlapping orders and bans contrary to the State government orders?.
CNCCI warned that in the eventuality of the state government being unable to clarify on these matters, it declared that the business community would have no choice but construe this as a governance failure in Nagaland.
Therefore, in view of the above, CNCCI urged the Naga armed group to ensure that tobacco products were delisted from the purview of the ban.
Further, Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry reiterated that the business community support early resolution of Indo-Naga political issue and requested various Naga Political Groups to direct their energy and resources towards this as the business community has been and would continue to extend goodwill and full support to realise the goal of early Indo-Naga political settlement.
