Kohima, July 10 (DIPR): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today stated that the government is trying its best to stop illegal taxes. Stating this on the floor of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly today at its fourth session in reply to a starred question raised by MLA S I Jamir regarding different taxes and tolls collected from various gates in and around Dimapur town, Rio said that the government is issuing notifications time and again banning collection of illegal taxes, conducting raids and arresting culprits. He said that he had convened a high level meeting on June 22, 2009, and issued an order banning collection of taxes. He assured that the government would strive to implement its decision taken at this meeting.
MLA Kheto taking part in the discussion suggested that persons arrested for illegal taxation should be arrested with non-bailable warrant and suggested that the August House pass a bill on illegal taxation. He said that a collective effort was needed for effective implementation of government orders regarding illegal taxation. The Chief Minister appreciated the Opposition members for their concern and assured that the government would do its best to implement its decisions regarding illegal taxation.
The Chief Minister, who holds the Finance portfolio, laid before the House the different taxes and tolls collected from various gates in and around Dimapur town and total amount collected during 2008-09 as below:
1. Taxation department:
The Taxation department collects Value Added Tax (VAT) at check-posts under authority of section 26 and section 67 of the Nagaland Value Added Tax Act, 2005, in the form of ‘security’. Security is collected against goods that are imported into the state without proper documents. This is necessary to prevent evasion of tax by unscrupulous traders who, if allowed to pass, may not come forward to voluntarily pay tax afterwards. An amount of Rs.10,67,862 was collected as Value Added Tax (VAT) at check-posts in Dimapur during 2008-09 only.
2. Veterinary & Animal Husbandry department:
Prescribed token fees are charged by the department of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry under Section 6(1) and 24(ii)(h) of the Nagaland Livestock and Poultry Contagious Disease Act 1980 in the government-designated quarantine check-posts. The quarantine check-post at Chümukedima collected Rs.45,840 and quarantine check-posts at Dellai Gate and Old Golaghat Gate collected Rs.9,88,789.
3. Forest department:
Forest department check-gates are meant to regulate movement of forest products and whenever any illegal act is detected, cases are booked under the Nagaland Forest Act, 1968. The total amount of tax/revenue collected during 2008-09 from Dimapur division is Rs.1,04,73,758.
4. Excise department:
Excise personnel posted at check-gates are mainly concerned and assigned with the checking of contraband items like drugs, liquor, etc. and verification of pass, permit documents, etc. and no tax/revenue is realised in the check gate.
5. Dimapur Municipal Council (Urban Development):
Different taxes and tolls collected in and around Dimapur are new vehicle entry, fish, fanta/logs/scraps, goods entry, vehicle entry, second-hand goods, transport items, Deopani sand, eggs, Delai sand, cement by road, footwear items, local sand/mixed earth boulder/bricks/stone chips, etc. The total amount collected by the Dimapur Municipal Council during 2008-09 is Rs.43,69,500.
