DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 6 (MExN): The Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has lamented that with the approaching of the festive season, there is an upsurge in tax demands by different Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs).
Citing an instance, BAN media cell in a press statement on Saturday revealed that a well known genuine Naga businessman and entrepreneur has recently been asked to pay a huge amount as yearly tax. The group had also downed the shutters of his business establishment.
Stating that such demands and acts are uncalled for, BAN has appealed to all the NNPGs to uphold to their resolution to exempt Naga entrepreneurs from taxation.
It appreciated that some NNPGs have resolved to exempt Naga entrepreneurs from taxation while realizing that imposing tax on own brothers and sisters is counterproductive and will have negative impact on the upcoming Naga entrepreneurs, BAN has appealed to these groups to uphold their resolution.
On the other hand, BAN also appealed to the NNPGs who have not exempted Naga entrepreneurs to come into the fold and earn the goodwill of the Naga people.
Reaffirming on the public resolution of ‘One Government, one Tax,’ BAN said multiple taxation is a constant harassment to the business community and also causes price rise in the market.
Pointing out that most Naga entrepreneurs run small enterprises and struggle to make a little profit, BAN said it is not fair on the part of the NNPGs to take away this little profit from them.
BAN also stated that as an organization exclusively for ‘Nagas by blood’ members, it has been advocating the scope of entrepreneurship to make Nagaland state a self-reliant and a developed state and not only a salaried economy.
It has therefore appealed the NNPGs to be considerate to Naga entrepreneurs and businessmen and exempt them from any form of taxation. At the same time, BAN has also requested the Government of India to expedite the peace process and find a solution to the vexed Naga problem.
