DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 12 (MExN): The Dimapur Hardware Merchants’ Association today informed that a massive hike in toll tax after the Dimapur Municipal Council’s (DMC) lease system has led to skyrocketing of iron rod prices in the state.
A press note from the association stated that earlier, the entry tax per vehicle for Ms Rod was Rs 350 for 6-wheeler vehicle and Rs 450 for 12-wheeler vehicle.
“However, since the toll tax was leased out, the toll tax collection has started with Rs 50 per MT instead of per vehicle since October 1, 2018,” it informed.
With the lease system introduced by the DMC, the entry tax has increased to Rs 3500 per vehicle for 12-wheeler of 70MT, it informed.
This, the association said, is taking a huge toll on the transporters, eventually affecting the public/customers in a “humongous” way. “The burden eventually falls on the customers who have to bear the brunt for no fault of theirs but due to the flawed policy decision made by the Municipal Affairs Department in leasing out the commodities,” it added. The association further noted that the DMC is not a Sales Tax/GST Department to collect tax on commodities but can only collect entry tax per vehicle and not commodity wise. “Commodity wise tax collection at the entry gate is not at all acceptable,” it said.
With the present tax rate, the association pointed out that merchants are apprehensive of facing unfavourable reaction from the customers “and the association does not want the public to suffer out of the current issue.” It therefore urged the DMC to immediately revoke the order on DMC Tolls & Urban Utility Fees during 2018-19. “Failure to revoke the order will compel the association with no other choice but to resort to our own course of action which definitely will hugely affect the public,” it said, stressing on the fact that the public will eventually bear the “extra unnecessary burden.”
