Dimapur, October 30 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers Organisation (NVCO) has written to the Nagaland State Chief Secretary for execution of the High Court order dated June 3, 2014 and the state government’s order dated June 22, 2009 to “completely stop illegal collection of cash at check-gates and on any part of highways.”
NVCO President, Kezhokhoto Savi asked the Chief Secretary to direct the Deputy Commissioners in carrying out the said orders.
The NVCO reminded that the High Court order had decided not to allow unions, associations and federations from collecting cash or contribution at check-gates on National/State Highways; and prohibited establishment of offices, pay counters etc on any highway.
The government order meanwhile banned collection of cash/taxes by any organization or individual including government departments such as Police, Excise, Forest and Taxes Departments etc in check gates or in any part of the highway, the NVCO said.
Nagaland, it stated, has seen a mushrooming of illegal collections by police, unions, government departments etc, adding that this has contributed to price-rise in the state and Dimapur in particular.
“Many trucks coming from outside refuse to enter Nagaland because of the forcible collection of ‘taxes’ at various-gates lying on national/state highways and there are numerous collection points at every conceivable corner in Dimapur including the authorized and unauthorized DMC toll tax counters where truck drivers are stopped and compelled to pay some amount,” it added.
The NVCO said that unabated taxation is a law and order problem “as it involves threat and extortion in nature without any legal authorization.”
Stating that the several orders issued by the state government are in accordance with procedure prescribed under the Rule of Executive Business, the NVCO said that the proceedings initiated by the several unions, associations, federations etc “are found to be without any merit but to considered as illegal.”
“Passing orders is easier than enforcing it,” it stated, and lamented that despite several protests the multitude of collections continue with impunity throughout the state.
“Earlier the district administration recorded more than 55 NGOs operating in Dimapur and the same menace is practiced in all the districts in Nagaland especially check-gates maintained by Nagaland Police and the worst places are the state bordering gates,” it said.
The NVCO stated that within a range of 20-25kms i.e. Khuzama police check-gate to Kohima bye-pass police check-gate on NH 29, there are about seven pay-counters.
The NVCO also called for a stop to deduction of percentage by way of commission from public funds/contractor bill in the name of ‘Party Fund’; illegal dealership and syndicate system; yearly tax on property/machineries/vehicles; funds-raise by way of asking for donation, selling lottery tickets/newspapers/calendars/food etc.
