Kohima, March 14 (MExN): A consultation meeting of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Angami Students’ Union (ASU), and Naga Business Association Kohima (NBAK) held on March 11 here emphasized that Nagas should sincerely and seriously take up business ventures as professions as business plays one of the most vital roles towards building the economy of the Nagas.
A press release from NBAK Media Cell Convenor, Atou Liezietsu informed that the meeting held at Hotel Eastgate also stressed that Nagas, be it consumers or business dealers, should encourage each other as “our economy has been drained out from our state.”
Further, deliberating on the role played by the businesspersons and entrepreneurs towards building the State economy, the meeting highlighted that about 80 percent of the market transaction is circulated outside the state. Therefore, it appealed to the Naga public to uplift and encourage one another.
Meanwhile, the three organizations also discussed that about 80 percent registered business establishments out of the total 3600 shops under Kohima Municipal office is in Naga names. However, in reality, only about 20 percent are genuinely owned by Nagas. Therefore, the three bodies decided to “hammer out” these practices and also appealed to the Nagas to discourage such trend “which will ultimately be a threat to the society for the future generation.”
The meeting also viewed that with this trend, the State is losing its revenue as Nagas are exempted from the income tax, the release said. In this regard, it maintained that the government also needs to seriously ponder upon which and what is owned and run by Nagas.
The meeting also appealed to the commercial house owners to encourage Nagas while leasing out their house.
Meanwhile, the two student bodies and the Naga business community decided to work hand in hand for the welfare and uplift of the Naga society, the release said. The meeting was attended by officials of NSF, ASU and NBAK besides other senior student and social work activists.
The release mentioned that NBAK has been formed purely for the genuine Naga businesspersons and entrepreneurs for the welfare and uplift of the society.
