Dimapur, July 27 (MExN): In any form it is ultimately the public which bears the biggest brunt of any sort of ‘tax’ and non-governmental organizations are not even mandated to claim taxes in any form, entrepreneurs said today. In fact, the Naga Entrepreneurs’ Union reminded today, the public and the business community are sick and tired of “taxes” imposed by vested interests and organizations.
The Naga Entrepreneurs’ Union today stood against any sort of taxation and has assured to stand by the government’s decision to suspend and abolish taxation. A statement was received here from the union’s president Isaac Zhimomi and general secretary Atsung Jamir. The union said that the rampant collection of “taxes” by NGO and other organizations should be abolished without further delay. An NGO was never mandated to exercise administrative and executive functions of the government. “Collection of taxes to generate revenues by unions and NGOs either in the name of identity or welfare activities is a serious issue. If the government allows such activities to continue, it should have no moral right to function as an administrator,” the entrepreneurs said. The fundamental objective of any NGO, the union said, is to work for the welfare of the society and not attempt to secure access to fast and easy money by imposing so-called “taxes.”
The Naga Entrepreneurs’ Union also reminded the Naga Council that Naga identity is not a commodity that can be quantified to be ‘taxed’: “With due regard and respect to the pioneers past and present members of the Naga Council for all their humanitarian and philanthropic works should not tint the character of the council. Collection of taxes by the council must have been relevant in the late 1940s and 1950s; but thankfully, with the formation of Nagaland as the 16th State of the Union in 1963, it has de-jure legislative, executive and judiciary powers to run the affairs of the state. Naga identity is not a commodity that can be taxed.
It is our unique innate quality which cannot be quantified. The state Government should immediately take measures to prohibit NGOs from collecting tax. Bonafide members of various unions and organizations should devise ways and means to generate their respective funds internally and not pass on the burden to the public.”
In fact, the entrepreneurs said, being a seasoned and matured body the Naga Council should lead by example and rally all other likeminded unions and public to assist the government in checking and abolish unwarranted tax collections by vested groups. “Fund raising can be done in many constructive and innovative ways without antagonizing the consumers or the public.
Undoubtedly, the business community and the public is sick and tired of taxes,” the union said. The Naga Entrepreneurs’ Union of Dimapur has unanimously resolved to support the Government’s decision to suspend and abolish tax collection.
