DIMAPUR, JULY 7 (MExN): In line with the Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU), the Peren District Timbers’ Trade Union (PDTTU) has also resolved to suspend movement/transportation of timber (with effect from July 5) until the issue of rampant taxation by various organisations was resolved.
Extending support to the stand of the NTTU and the statement of Home Minister Imkong L Imchen to put a check on rampant “illegal taxation” and “extortion” by various organisations, the PDTTU in a press release issued by its president, N John Zeliang, and general secretary Elam Haiding, appreciated the “bold decision” taken by the Peren district administration to curb the menace of taxation.
The union in the release, however, lamented “though the concern authorities are flashing the matter in the local newspapers to stop the same, illegal taxation and extortions are still going on”, and continued that “logs and timber business community were bearing the maximum burden as they are left high and dry even after their hard labour”. Reiterating the decision of its parent body, NTTU, the PDTTU said it would ban movement/transportation of timber within Peren district till the issue of taxation was resolved.
It may be mentioned that NTTU had earlier urged the various underground ‘governments’ to also streamline their tax collection on the line of “one goods one tax”, and appealed that the various Naga national governments should heed to the voice of the public if they are really working in the interest of the Naga people. “If they impose single tax on one item within reasonable limit, then traders are willing to cooperate. But imposing tax six to seven times on the same goods is downright illegal and amounts to extortion,” the union asserted in the release.
