NTTU’s single tax plea on NPGs

Expressing serious concern over the “excessive taxation” imposed on timber-laden trucks plying between Kiphire and Dimapur by NPGs and government departments, the Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) urged upon NPGs to impose only “single central tax” by removing the taxes at the “regional” and “other levels’”. 

In a press note, NTTU president, Kevise Sogotsu, said the members resolved this during the executive meeting of the union on January 21. 

NTTU asked the NPGs, whether solution to the Naga political problem can be found in Kiphire district, taking into the account of the excess tax levied in the district.  Since Nagas have been given ownership of the land and that resources belong to the people under Article 371 (A), the NTTU said no NPG or state government agency has the right to impose tax on any produce such as paddy, vegetable or timer produced or grown in one’s field or forest. 

NTTU also questioned the forest department for its silent on the tax being imposed at various check gates by police and excise, when timber falls within its ambit. 

Therefore, NTTU has urged the Naga public to rise up and curb the taxation menace which is destroying Naga society. 

While highlighting the details of taxation levied per truck by NPGs and others from Kiphire to Dimapur, the NTTU said, if taxation at this rate is allowed to continue then many Naga families, who depend on timber and timber business for livelihood would die of starvation after paying all taxes.