DMC cracks down on illegal tax collection on tomato, cabbage

Reacting to the sudden and unprecedented hike in price of tomato in Dimapur, the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) prohibited illegal tax imposed on various items which did not have its sanction.
DMC Councillor and in-charge of market regulation and enforcement, Neingutoulie Kengruse, disclosed that price of tomato sky rocketed when some individuals began collecting unauthorised tax over perishable goods, allegedly in the name of DMC.
Speaking with Nagaland Post, Kengruse disclosed that a certain individual, identified as Ripon Sarkar was illegally collecting tax from vendors @ Rs 3 per kg on tomato and @ Rs 4 per kg on cabbage on behalf of DMC.
He disclosed that the issue came to light after an argument broke out between Ripon and local Naga entrepreneurs, who refused to pay the unauthorised tax. Neingutoulie said he rushed to the spot on receiving reports and that before DMC officials reached the Ripon was detained by the police.
Neingutoulie clarified that Dimapur Municipal Council never issued any order or authorization to Ripon to collect taxes on perishable items. He reiterated that DMC also does not support or promote any form of market syndicate system.
Neingutoulie informed that a meeting was held with all wholesalers on Saturday, wherein it was decided that wholesalers and retailers are to inform the him if any kind of taxation was imposed on those supplying vegetables.
He said the meeting also decided that there would be no such collections in the wholesale markets at Murgipatti by DMC. He, therefore, informed retailers to refrain from paying any kind of taxes.
He also said the accused, Ripon Sarkar, would not be allowed to carry out any sort of business at Murgipatti area with immediate.
Meanwhile, in an effort to curb price manipulation and bring more transparency in the market, Kengruse said DMC was planning to introduce digital price monitoring boards in major marketplaces, including New Market, Murgipatti, and Super Market areas.