Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) has warned that stern action would be initiated against any of its affiliated unions and associations found levying tax on vehicles carrying logs and timbers in the districts.
In a press release, NTTU president, Kevise Sogotsu, said timber community has been fighting all these years against taxation imposed on them by various government agencies and other groups.“This fight for justice is meaningless if we do not first clean our own kitchen,” NTTU president said. NTTU has also reminded the state government that its departments and agencies manning check gates were still collecting tax from timber-laden trucks despite repeated reminders in the past that such collection was illegal and amounts to extortion.
NTTU cautioned that it would be compelled to go to any extent to see that such illegal tax gates were removed.
The union maintained that timber traders and local tree farmers were undergoing immense hardships and running at losses, adding that many timbers traders and tree farmers were in debt and finding hard to run their families.
In this regard, the union has appealed to various Naga political groups to listen to the genuine plight of the timber traders and tree farmers and exempt them from taxation for at least three years. NTTU assured to extend cooperation and support to any Naga political group that was ready to listen to its voice.