Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) has stated that the business community in Dimapur has started facing harassment in the form of illegal taxation, demand letters and donation drives by various government agencies, Naga political groups and organizations.
In a press release, DCCI president Akashe Zhimomi and DCCI public grievances convenor Omega Yepthomi said that despite state government’s decision not to impose additional tax on GST goods, some government agencies were still imposing illegal taxation such as demanding money from transporters at check gates and intersections.
In this regard, DCCI has urged the state government to come out with clear guidelines and instructions on what was ‘legal tax’ and what was ‘illegal tax’ in order to “check the rot within its agencies.”
Due to such rampant illegal taxation, DCCI said Dimapur was fast becoming “a taxation industry”. It said that prices of goods and commodities even in interior districts were lower than in Dimapur.
DCCI has also urged the general public to be “firm and vocal” in their stance against all forms of illegal taxation and collections and not squarely put the blame on the business community for price rise.
DCCI reiterated its appeal to organizations and unions including the Naga political groups and government agencies to refrain themselves from any kind of taxation/extortion/fund drive. Further, DCCI appealed to the responsible authority to deploy additional security for the safety of business community during festive season.
Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry also asked all shops and business houses to not entertain any form of illegal taxation.
It also informed business houses or shopkeepers receiving illegal taxation/donation threats to immediately report to the police for necessary action.
Meanwhile, DCCI has requested all business houses and shopkeepers to clean and decorate their respective shops and premises in view of the festive season.
DCCI has reminded all shopkeepers, business houses, traders and citizens to strictly follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviors.