Asserting that COVID-19 cess on fuel could increase government funds to fight the pandemic, but would “minimise the benefits of the consumers”, the Phek Chamber of Commerce & Industries (PCCI) has maintained that if decision was not rolled back immediately, food prices were expected to increase.
In a press release, PCCI president Kuvethisa Hoshi and general secretary Chetezo Akami have, therefore, urged the state government “to take this as an opportunity to show humanity, and positively utilise God-gifted quality in leading our people, our state in this hour of pandemic crisis.”
When the entire world is fighting a pandemic, PCCI said the state government cannot “pause to collect cess/tax from its populous” as petrol and diesel cess was directly hitting the cost of transportation, essential commodities and other goods.
Meanwhile, the PCCI has extended support to the representation submitted by Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CNCCI) that sought certain relief measures for the business community in distress.