Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 17
Trying to allay apprehensions of the business community in the state that the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) would be detrimental, Commissioner of Taxes, Government of Nagaland, Asangba Chuba Ao IAS today said: “With the implementation of GST in the entire country, most probably by July 1, 2017, Nagas would be getting an opportunity for a level playing field.”
He was speaking as guest at the 3rd Business Association of Nagas (BAN), General Council Meeting at Elim Hall, DABA, Dimapur on Friday.
He said under the new tax system, all businessmen have to register their business in their own name and hence cannot escape income tax. Asangba was referring to non-locals running business in Naga names to evade income tax.
Since Nagas have the advantage of not paying income tax, it was in this context, the Commissioner of Taxes said that the GST system would provide a level playing field for Naga business houses.
Asangba also said that the GST would eliminate cascading tax or double taxation since it envisages to merge different taxes at central and state levels into a single tax payable at the time of reaching the consumer or destination.
He said that the GST would also allow registered businesses to claim tax credit. He further talked about the possibility of closing down business that does not properly comply with the GST.
The Commissioner of Taxes asserted that the department would leave no stone unturned to see that all interested persons were trained on the GST. He also expressed willingness to have a separate seminar for BAN to sensitize on the GST.
Asangba said that the state economy was mostly controlled by people who came from outside the state and foreign immigrants which he termed as a “threat.” “It is time to take over our own economy,” he added.
He said those who came from outside the state may go back to their homeland if business does not flourish but those who came from abroad would not go back since they have found a home in Nagaland which is far better than the living conditions in their country.
Asangba encouraged the Naga business community to do business the right way and put the satisfaction of customer in the first place.
BAN Advisor, Ato Yepthomi pointed out that Naga entrepreneurs were suffering since power supply, communication and road which he described it as the “backbone of business” were found wanting.
He advised Naga entrepreneurs to have patience and consistency in their business venture.
During the programme, BAN General Secretary, Dr. Khekugha Muru presented a report on the activities of the Association while BAN president, Thungbemo Murry delivered the welcome and presidential address.
