NVCO questions existence of check gates post GST 

Resource persons with Kezhokhoto Savi, President NVCO during the awareness campaign on consumer rights, food security, food safety, environment and street vendors held at NU, Kohima campus on September 20. (Photo Courtesy:  KLC)

Kohima, September 22 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumer’s Organization (NVCO) President, Kezhokhoto Savi stated that the implementation of GST by the state government in the state creates no options “to entertain any other taxes.” Savi was speaking at a sensitization and awareness campaign on consumer rights, environment, food safety, street vendors, food security and human rights held at Nagaland University, Meriema, Kohima Campus on September 20.

Savi questioned the state government as to why it was not taking any “effective action” towards the “eradication of both the authorized and unauthorized collection of taxes” in the state especially at the check-gates and on highways.

In a press release from NVCO, he said that several neighboring states had dismantled the check-gates which maintained collections of taxes with the implementation of GST. The NVCO also stood in support to the “commendable services” rendered by the PAC of Naga Council Dimapur where the officials and volunteers have been sacrificing their time, “considering that finally all these taxes are realized by the so called helpless consumers.”

Savi at the awareness campaign also mentioned that in Nagaland, the Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, department of Health & Family Welfare is designated as Food Safety Commissioner and the Chief Medical Officer in the district is designated as Food Safety Officer. “The District Food Safety Inspector is posted in every district under Food Safety Officer. They collect samples for analysis, carry out surveillance activities, issue license to traders, etc,” he said.

He further appealed to every citizen to extend co-operation and support to the Food Safety staff in checking the food which is harmful and also access to State Public Health Laboratory situated at Para-Medical, Kohima. There are times where the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has asked the Food Safety Commissioner in the state to inspect and evaluate in the market and had suggested that the state food safety commissioner should prepare their line for action and collect samples of all the packaged products even those which are not registered with FS&SAI and also told to take action required,he said. The resource persons for the campaign consisted of LLB students of Kohima Law College – Bovi Lea, Soreni Mozhui, Kughato A Zhimo, Nesutalu Tetseo and Baman Phom. Professor Chandra pronounced the vote of thanks.