Civil society against ‘rampant, unabated taxation’

Action Committee to be formed to oversee ‘issue of taxation’ by Naga groups and government agencies

DIMAPUR, MAY 27 (MExN): An emergency meeting of Dimapur-based civil society, frontal organisations, student and youth organisations and business community, most notably the Naga Council Dimapur, Naga Women’s Hoho Dimapur, DCCI (including Chumukedima Chamber of Commerce & Industries), Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, YAN, GB Union (Sadar), Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF), Dimapur District Consumer Society (DDSC) & Senior Citizen’s Forum was held under the aegis of Naga Council at its office to discuss the issue of what it termed as “rampant, unabated taxation by UGs in Dimapur district”.

A press note signed by all the members present totaling 58 individuals “unanimously” resolved on the following. It was decided that an Action Committee comprising members of civil society, frontal organisations, student and youth organisations and business community of Dimapur shall be formed to “oversee the issue of taxation in any form imposed by UGs groups and government agencies”.

Further it was resolved that irrespective of any sort of justification/s, there shall be only one tax payable to any one faction. The press note stated that the “back-breaking multiple taxes on goods imposed at a) New Field Check gate b) godowns and c) shops by UG groups should be abolished immediately.” The meeting resolved that UG groups will be allowed to levy tax only at one entry point instead of the present practice. Also, “irritants” such as trade license tax, ID tax, registration tax, calendar donations, Christmas & New Year donations, etc. shall not be entertained anymore.

It was also pointed out that the yearly tax payable to different factions shall not be increased arbitrarily under any circumstances and therefore, amount payable shall be the same as in 2012.

Also the creation of the new system of ‘dealership’ by UGs has been strongly condemned. For instance, it was pointed out that under this latest “innovation to milk businesses dry”, there is only 1 (one) poultry dealer/supplier in the whole of Dimapur district and no poultry can be sold in the open market without the consent of this poultry dealer.

According to the press note, this also means that small and independent poultry farmers cannot sell their produce in the market without paying ‘tax’ to the ‘dealer’. “The UG groups are requested to cancel dealership system immediately since no products/produce in the market should be under the grip of powerful, illegal syndicate/s,” stated the press note.

The district administration has been strongly urged to look into the matter and crack down on these syndicates. “Any market should be free and fair providing level playing field for all enterprises but the presence of syndicates will ensure that pricing will be monopolized leading to price rise and livelihood of families destroyed”.

The press note also stated that it was out of respect for the memories of thousands of Naga men and women who have laid down their lives for the Naga nation that so far, Naga society has been “lenient as far as the contentious issue of taxation is concerned.” “Of late, saturation point has been reached and unless the UG groups learn to respect their subjects, a time is coming when the sacrifices of the past 60 years may well go down the drain simply because Naga political groups refused to heed the cries of its people and Naga civil society cannot bear responsibility for such an event.”

It was also mentioned that the “resolutions arrived at between civil society, frontal organisations, business community, student and youth organisations cannot be abrogated and Naga political groups are strongly urged to respect our wishes since we represent the collective wisdom of the people.”

To discuss further course of action, all the organisations-NWHD, DCCI (including Chumukedima Chamber of Commerce & Industries), DNSU, YAN, GB Union (Sadar), Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF), Dimapur District Consumer Society (DDSC) & Senior Citizen’s Forum have been requested to send 2 (two) members each (DCCI may send 5 members) to the office of the Naga Council for a meeting at 11 am on May 28.