CNCCI Chairperson, Dr Khekugha Muru (Second from right) with CNCCI associates and district affiliates at the press conference in Dimapur on May 13. (Morung Photo)
Shutdown to take effect on May 19
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 13
The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) announced a shutdown of businesses in 9 districts starting Monday, May 19. The shutdown will be indefinite, according to the CNCCI.
Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Niuland, Peren, Wokha, Zunheboto, Phek, Tseminyu, and Meluri are the districts where the shutdown will take effect. An unrequited demand to nominate representatives from the business community in the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) is the primary reason for the shutdown.
The CNCCI made the announcement at a press conference in Dimapur on May 13. The business confederation’s chairperson, Dr Khekugha Muru, while making the announcement, clarified that the decision to go ahead with the business closure was taken by the business chambers of the aforementioned 9 districts. “The nine districts (business chambers) have already announced in a press release that they will go for shut down. The CNCCI is now left with no option but allow our 9 district affiliates to go for shut down,” said Dr Muru.
As far as the business chambers of the 9 districts are concerned, Dr Muru said that the demand for one nominee atleast is a non-negotiable demand. He urged the state government to reconsider the demand.
“This (shutter down) is not anti-government. We are only exercising our democratic rights. It is going to be voluntary,” maintained Dr Muru. The call for shutting business has however come under stinging public criticism, already.
Alleged indifference on the part of the state government to the business community’s contribution has had them marginalised, according to him.
As per the argument of the business community, they contribute significantly to urban development and thus, deserves representation in the ULBs as government nominees, and be a part of decision-making, albeit, without voting rights.
Their pursuit to have the government nominate atleast one member from the business community has allegedly fallen on deaf ears.
Dr Muru disclosed that initially, the demand was for one nominee in each of the ULBs but this was scaled down to the bigger ULBs on the government’s request. However, the government nominated members from the business community in the Mokokchung Municipal Council and Kohima Municipal Council only, allegedly leading to the current situation.
“Why were nominees given to KMC and MMC but not to DMC,” questioned one member of the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry. As the business hub of the state, he argued that Dimapur should have been considered.
CNCCI Vice Chairperson, Jabou Sekhose, maintained that the move of the business chambers is in the interest of the consumers. “What we are doing here is not for our personal interest. This is for the consumers,” said Sekhose, who also represented the Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
The CNCCI Chairperson further cited the Rajya Sabha, which has seen unelected nominees or personalities with business background. “As a major stakeholder, the government should appreciate our willingness to be part of the ULBs to contribute whatever little we have for the community. Instead of appreciating, we are being marginalised, that is our grievance,” he said.
He went on to cite the proliferation of myriad municipal fees in the market, especially in Dimapur. While GST has subsumed all other taxes, tolls continue to be collected under various nomenclatures by the municipal body.
He was asked on what grounds the government was not considering their demand for nominees. He replied, “I think the reason is best known to the government.”
The CNCCI further informed that it has instated a new team of office bearers for the 2025-30 tenure. Dr Kekugha Muru will continue as the Chairperson with three Vice Chairpersons, namely— Dr Seyievilie Mor, Jabou Sekhose and Dorothy Chang. Avi Chase is the General Secretary.
