Dimapur, June 13 (MExN): The Nagaland Government Registered Class-I Contractors Union (NGRC-ICU) has resolved to take up the first phase of action to fight against illegal collection of taxes and extortion in Nagaland in general and Dimapur in particular. The Union in its meeting held at Hotel Tragopan, Dimapur on June 12 decided to submit a strong representation to the highest offices of the Government of Nagaland enclosed with a book entitled—‘NVCO on consumer awareness, RTI campaign and Right to Food as part of capacity building’. Making its intention clear to tackle the problem of illegal collection and extortion, the NGRC-ICU has decided to conduct its General Body Meeting at DUDA Guest House, Kohima on June 17, 2009 at 10:00 am to discuss about the Second Phase of Action against illegal collection of taxes and extortion in Nagaland.
Following its emergency meeting on Friday, June 12, the NGRC-ICU also convened another meeting with the Dimapur business community association at Hotel Tragopan on June 13 at 9:00 am. The meeting discussed about the rampant illegal collection of taxes and extortion in Dimapur pointing out that this had led to lives of all Naga people suffering due to exorbitant prices of both essential and non-essential commodities in the entire State.
Meanwhile it was informed that the executive council of the NGRC-ICU had convened an emergency meeting on June 12 to discuss about the fund drive for construction of its union office building and also to discuss about the rampant collection of taxes in Nagaland especially Dimapur—the commercial hub and gateway to Nagaland. The President of Nagaland Voluntary Consumers Organization (NVCO) Kezhokhoto Savi was invited to give a presentation on a book entitled —‘NVCO on consumer awareness, RTI campaign and Right to Food as part of capacity building’. Savi in his address said that illegal collection of taxes and extortion in Dimapur had become a lucrative job to earn easy money and as a result affecting the transporters, contractors, truckers and business community. And all this is finally realized by the consumers/buyers in terms of the burden of high price rise in the market. Savi expressed pain that ‘truckers, transporters, taxies refuse to enter a Christian State particularly Dimapur’ because of rampant illegal collection of taxes and extortion. Savi also stated that with the release of the book it was hoped that the government would take effective measure to remove illegal collection of taxes and stop extortion in Nagaland. He also challenged the contractors fraternity and business community not to remain as silent spectators but to respond against these illegal indulgence of the NGOs, unions, associations, federations, government agencies, Nagaland police, underground factions etc.
The NGRC-ICU has expressed gratitude, appreciation and congratulation to the President of NVCO for the release of the book. The NGRC-ICU stated that the book will benefit all sections of the people including the BPL. This was stated in a press note issued by the NGRC-ICU and signed by L. Pukhato Shohe, general secretary, S. Bendang Jamir, vice president, KC Angami, president, Neisielie, chairman, Action Committee, Yashitsungba Ao, advisor and Neibu Nagi, advisor.
