KOHIMA, MARCH 23 (MExN): The Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) has expressed concern that unless “concerned taxation authorities” take concrete steps to check “rampant taxation,” they will have to account for “loss of livelihood of hundreds of Naga families who depend on timber trade” caused thus.
This was noted in a press release issued by the NTTU. It stated that this release has been published in view of “heavy taxation imposed by the Nagaland political groups as well as Forest department, which is forcing the timber farmers and traders out of business.”
Furnishing details on the tax levied per trip from Kiphire to Dimapur (see box), the NTTU informed that “taking all these taxation into account and the vehicle hiring expenses and other miscellaneous expenses and risks involved during transportation, where then is the point of tree farmers and timber traders in practicing their trade as their profit is reduced to almost zero.”
The NTTU questioned the Naga political groups whether the route to “sovereignty” or “independence” lies through “heavy taxation imposed on their own brothers who are tree farmers and plantation owners and who are trying to make an honest living by the sweat of their brow. If such taxation continues unabated, then where is the future of Naga entrepreneurs and businessmen?”
It reminded that as per a Supreme Court order, Nagaland has been declared a “non-forest” State and individual farmers and community owning plantation and trees have the right to “dispose their produce for their livelihood.” The tree/timber farmers and traders, the NTTU stated, are also “not encroaching upon any government (whether overground or underground) land or forest but engaging in timber business with consent of individual or community plantation/tree owners.”
Taxes paid by Timber Traders in Nagaland (Kiphire to Dimapur)
NSCN (I-M) tax (Per trip): Pungro town command (Rs.500), JC Battalion, Salomi (Rs. 1,000), Kiphire junction (Rs. 5,000), Longmatra (Rs. 8,000), Meluri town command (Rs. 500), Meluri Region (Rs. 500), Jessami gate entry fee (Rs. 500), Pfutsero gate entry fee (Rs. 500); Total = Rs. 16,500.
GPRN/NSCN: Pungro town command (Rs. 500), Kiphire (Rs. 4,500), Azetso (Rs. 4,500), Meluri region (Rs. 1,500), Lalmati (Rs. 1,000), Purana Bazar (Rs. 1,500); Total =Rs. 13,500.
NSCN (K): Pungro town command (Rs. 500), Kiphire junction (Rs. 4,500), Longmatra (Rs. 5,000), Azetso (Rs. 2,500); Total = Rs. 12,500.
FGN (Federal): Rs. 4,000.
Taxation at various Forest check gates: Rs. 9,000.
Total taxation: Rs. 55,500
In addition to these, the Forest minister charges Rs. 3 lakh per tree felling wagon as his “personal commission” and DFO Dimapur charges Rs. 10,000 per wagon as commission.
Issued by: NTTU
NSCN (I-M) tax (Per trip): Pungro town command (Rs.500), JC Battalion, Salomi (Rs. 1,000), Kiphire junction (Rs. 5,000), Longmatra (Rs. 8,000), Meluri town command (Rs. 500), Meluri Region (Rs. 500), Jessami gate entry fee (Rs. 500), Pfutsero gate entry fee (Rs. 500); Total = Rs. 16,500.
GPRN/NSCN: Pungro town command (Rs. 500), Kiphire (Rs. 4,500), Azetso (Rs. 4,500), Meluri region (Rs. 1,500), Lalmati (Rs. 1,000), Purana Bazar (Rs. 1,500); Total =Rs. 13,500.
NSCN (K): Pungro town command (Rs. 500), Kiphire junction (Rs. 4,500), Longmatra (Rs. 5,000), Azetso (Rs. 2,500); Total = Rs. 12,500.
FGN (Federal): Rs. 4,000.
Taxation at various Forest check gates: Rs. 9,000.
Total taxation: Rs. 55,500
In addition to these, the Forest minister charges Rs. 3 lakh per tree felling wagon as his “personal commission” and DFO Dimapur charges Rs. 10,000 per wagon as commission.
Issued by: NTTU
