Union elects new team for 2020-23 tenure
Kohima, January 29 (MExN): The Kohima District Truck Owners & Drivers’ Union (KDTODU) organised its 22nd annual General Meeting-cum-Picnic was on at New High Court site, Meriema on January 25.
Advocate Kezhokhoto Savi, President NVCO, as the guest speaker dwelled on the topic “Illegal taxation on Highways.”
He noted that the union has chosen a apt topic as “illegal collection of cash/tax at the check-gates maintained by Nagaland Police, several government departments, Municipal/Town Council toll tax, Public Organisation including SAPO local tax, Federation, Unions, Societies & Associations on highways has been continually affecting the truckers and finally immensely hitting the so called – ‘Consumers,’” a KDTODU press release informed.
Savi highlighted the government standing orders and High judgment & order banning illegal collection of cash at the check-gates and on any highways and appreciated the KDTODU for their role in fighting against illegal collection of cash and even submitting a representation to the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, it said.
Eventually, a Committee was set up to enquire into the illegal taxation at the check-gates and on highways.
The NVCO President further informed that with the implementation of GST several states including North Eastern states had pulled out Pay-Counter collection in their states and the Meghalaya Lokayukta has recently summoned concerned authorities/officials for illegal taxation at the check-gates mainly the main state border gates terming as corruption, the release said.
He also termed lease system of collecting toll and utility fee in Dimapur introduced by the Dimapur Municipal Council & Municipal Affairs department, Govt. of Nagaland as ‘illegal’ which is simply multiplying illegal collection of cash/tax in the commercial hub of the state, it added.
The system of practice is possible only when certain builders/companies invested in the construction of roads or bridges out of their own resources and then the government can allowed them to collect toll tax to recover their expenditures in constructing public roads or bridges, he further highlighted.
KDTODU legal advisor Anungla Longkumer exhorted the gathering saying that every driver must keep complete vehicle document and upto date insurance and not to drive under the influence of alcohol, the release further informed.
The meeting chaired by KDTODU President Rüvese Sokha was followed by a grant feast for the truck drivers and owners with families along with their truck vehicles.
A new KDTODU team for the 2020-23 tenure was also elected during the meeting.
The new team is led by Rüivese Sokha – President, Zie-o Angami – Vice-President, Küvethi Puro – General Secretary, Mhalezo Rüpreo - Joint Secretary, Dziesetuo Huozha – Treasurer along with a new team of Action Committee and Audit Committee.
