Dimapur, May 1 (MExN): The educated unemployed lot in Nagaland is feeling deprived and neglected by the state government all thanks to what was maintained as lack of transparency and corruption. Rather, non-preference entities are reaping dividends at the cost of the Naga educated unemployed community’s welfare.
“The state government of Nagaland must declare to the public as to how it is utilizing the fund allocated by the Center under PM’s package to self-employ 25, 000 unemployed youths in Nagaland and what amount was allocated for the purpose” the Educated Unemployed Union of Nagaland demanded. The government has been silent about the package’s implementation and this clearly indicates the lack of transparency and presence of corruption, the EUUN maintained. If at all the fund is ‘mismanaged’ at the expense of thousands of Naga educated unemployed youths, then the union would not remain silent and would resort to an own course of action, warned the EUUN note appended by its acting president Achilo Thong and general secretary Vizovor Belho.
The educated unemployed also took strong cognizance that municipalities and competent authorities like town councils are issuing trade permits to non-locals without proper verification of their identities “to increase revenue.” “Allotment of trade permits without proper verification of identities has led to gross influx of opportunists from different states of India, Bangladesh and Nepal seeking heavens to capture commercial arena in Nagaland and domination (over) local people, mostly consumers, by non-local business people, price hike and exorbitant price” the union explained.
The organization felt frustrated that most of these businessmen are not issuing cash memos to buyers and thereby evade tax to the state government. The impression is that there is no sale or very little sale “compelling the state government to pay Crores of rupees from taxable articles.” This amounts to suppression of facts. Therefore the government must review its policy in dealing with commercial establishments and promote commerce among the state’s indigenous educated lot. “And tax evaders must be punished as per the provision of law” the EUUN reminded the government.
In this context, the union also demanded that vacant stalls or rooms in commercial buildings partly or fully funded by the government must be advertised in the media and allotted to the educated unemployed youth. Similarly, “taxi, bus, autorickshaw permits too must be allotted to them” the union stated. It warned to “file RTI” or take an own course of action if the matter is not addressed. The union also appealed to retired government officials for contribution to the cause of the unemployed Nagas because “after retirement they also again become educated unemployed.” The media is also requested to “play a positive role” for the cause.
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