Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 31
Illegal taxation and collection is a multi-crore business and the most profitable industry in Nagaland’s commercial hub Dimapur, as per the Fact Finding Committee of the Public Action Committee (PAC) constituted by the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD).
According to the PAC, the annual turnover of the illegal taxation and collection activities in Dimapur comes to a staggering Rs.400-500 crores.
The key players and stakeholder of this unconventional industry are the Naga Political Groups (NPGs), State government departments and law enforcing agencies, unions, and the unscrupulous businessmen and traders.
And who are the victims? They are the common citizens groaning under the weight of multiple and illegal taxations. As per the PAC finding, the syndicate or lease system is the highest common factor contributing to price rise, inflation and unfair trade practices in Dimapur. This was revealed by senior citizen Hekhevi Achumi, a member of the PAC Fact Finding Committee, during the ‘Public rally against illegal taxation and rampant collections’ organized by PAC (NCD).
As per PAC, almost all items and commodities in the market are allotted through lease/syndicate system. The tax collected from second hand clothes through syndicate comes to Rs. 72 lakh per year, Rs. 54 lakhs from Pan patta, Rs. 62 lakhs from dry fish. Even food items like potato and garlic comes under the lease system.
The government departments and law enforcing agencies seem to be on equal taxation and collection spree. PAC alleged that the Veterinary Department collects Rs. 66 lakh every month for chickens transported into Dimapur, the Geology & Mining department collects Rs. 350 per truckload of sand from Assam, the MTE issues challan of Rs. 1000 per vehicle and the Traffic Police collects Rs. 100 per vehicle (especially Tata Mobiles) as ‘Transit permit.’ Due to the ease of earning fast buck at check gates, a police constable has to pay Rs. 20,000 to his immediate superior to get posted to check gates for a couple of months, PAC alleged.
PAC further informed that of the 86 unions functioning in Dimapur, at least 41 unions are collecting illegal tax one way or the other. Hekhevi observed that forming a union has become a lucrative industry or factory for the Nagas.
