Expressing strong resentment against the state government’s silence over taxations imposed by 18 factions, Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) has asked the state government to clearly spell out whether taxations by “18 different factions” was legal or illegal?.
CNCCI chairman.
Dr. Khekugha Muru said after deliberation on the problems faced by the business community, the CNCCI Special Executive Council at Tourist Lodge here decided to ask the government to come out clearly in the open and declare whether the taxations by the factions were legal or illegal.
He warned that CNCCI would take its decision depending on the reply of the state government. He regretted that due multiple factions imposed by 18 factions, the business community was facing severe difficulties and their businesses were being pushed on the verge of break down.
Dr. Muru also maintained that if the state government considered taxation by the factions as legal, then both the state and central government should cease taxing the business in the state. He also countered that if such taxations were illegal, then the state government should take action and stop such illegal taxations.
Dr Muru pointed out the rise of multiple factions in Nagaland over the years and presently there are 18 factions and all of who are collecting taxes under various forms. He said business community are asked to pay multiple taxes to each faction and ultimately end up paying around 35 to 40 forms of taxes to all the 18 factions. Dr.Muru said that when business community was still facing losses incurred during the Covid lockdown, such multiple taxes were pushing businesses to the verge of closing down.
He said Friday’s CNCCI meeting decided to demand that the state government “immediately” come out with response in the public medium, failing which, CNCCI would be compelled to take steps for survival of business.
Dr.Muru also claimed that every district in Nagaland will stand together respond in unity against forcible collection.He also added that if any business individual was harassed, kidnapped or tortured, the entire business community in Nagaland will respond in unison.
Dwelling on the syndicate system, monopoly and license raj organized by various Naga factions, Dr.Muru said such systems needed to be stopped since the business community cannot be made to sustain the luxurious lifestyle of others.
Speaking on village or colony council collecting tax, Dr.Muru noted that unless these are approved by the competent authority, such taxation have to be regarded as illegal.He also disclosed that CNCCI will conduct its own investigation on this matter.
He termed it as harassment the frequent random checking of business establishments by unauthorized persons or organizations.
While admitting that consumers have the right to complaint, yet any action needed to be taken within the parameters of functions and protocol under consumer act. He also said what was needed is to follow up such cases but complainants should not take the law into their own hands.
He said CNCCI will write to the state government to set up a committee headed by a Food Safety Inspector(FSI) or administration, along with a member of CNCCI and civil society, to form a committee authorized to conduct checks.
On problems faced by the business community due to “multiple authorities” in the state, he noted that this only confused the people.
As an example Dr.Muru cited grant of license for sale of fire crackers, where the state government permitted it under certain restrictions but other “authorities” putting a ban. In this regard, he said the business community was confused as to whose authority would it obey. In this regard Dr.Muru reminded the state government to come out openly and inform public as to whose authority should the public follow?