Dimapur, June 15 (MExN): The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has appealed to the Dimapur Municipal Council, District Administration and Police to keep a strict vigil on any business/trade establishments that may be indulging in market monopoly activities. “The illegal activities of such unscrupulous and vested interests have always proved to be counter-productive and against the welfare of the consumers and the business community,” stated a press release by DCCI President Hokivi Chishi.
The DCCI also urged the authority concerned to cancel/invalidate the trade license of any trader(s) if found conniving with any individual or organization for their own vested interests by monopolising the market and book such defaulter(s) under relevant sections of the law. Further, it appealed to the Market Rate Control Cell officials of the DMC for regular and timely market rate regulation in tune with the rates of neighbouring towns/cities such as Jorhat, Golaghat, Diphu etc. In order to cap the “illegal activities which have become an unbearable, daily burden on the consumers to the DMC”, it also asked for regular verification/surprise checking of rates, weights and measures in the markets under its jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, an appeal has been made to the Dimapur District Administration to ban any union, association or welfare committee that collects any kind of tax in the market in the name of any individual or organization. “The problem of exorbitant taxes and inflation or price rise is taking a heavy toll on the consumers,” it said. “About a decade back, Dimapur was rated to be one of the fastest developing cities in Asia. However, instead of progressing, we have not only become stagnant, but are now reeling in retrograde motion.”
Further, the DCCI lauded the ACAUT under the aegis of Naga Council for taking up the prevailing issue of ‘taxation’ and “working tirelessly” in the interest of the people. It expressed optimism that as and when the issue of tax was resolved, the prices of commodities will automatically return to normalcy. However, it affirmed the issue of excessive taxation and corresponding price rise is not confined only to Dimapur, but is affecting the whole State of Nagaland and beyond. Therefore, the DCCI, through the press release gave “a clarion call” to all sections of society to join hands and work towards economic progress and development “since the most important lifeline of a people is its economy”.
