Memorandum on taxation submitted to the Ato Kilonser,
NSCN (IM) by Naga civil society and business community
DIMAPUR, JUNE 5 (MExN): A memorandum submitted to the Ato Kilonser, NSCN (IM) by Naga civil societies and the business community, under the aegis of the Naga council stated that irrespective of any sort of justifications, there shall be only one tax payable per Naga group (UG faction). The memorandum was signed by Ntsemo Ngullie, Convenor and Solomon L. Awomi, Secretary, Action Committee. 
The memorandum has demanded that the “back-breaking multiple taxes imposed on single items, at New Field Check gate, at godowns and at shops by UG groups should be abolished immediately.” It added that “Naga political groups will be allowed to levy tax only at one point instead of the present practice which leads to skyrocketing price rise”.
It also informed that trade license tax, ID tax, registration tax, individual donations, calendar donations, Christmas & New Year donations, etc would not be entertained anymore.
It said that the yearly tax payable to different factions would not be increased arbitrarily under any circumstances and therefore, amount payable would be the same as in 2012. It further condemned the creation of the new system of ‘dealership’ on items. The Ato Kilonser was requested to cancel the dealership system immediately, as it goes against the concept of free enterprise.
“No products/produce in the market should be under the grip of powerful, illegal syndicate/s which has come up as a result of the latest dealership system. Any market should be free and fair providing level playing field for all enterprises but the presence of syndicates will ensure that pricing will be monopolized leading to price rise and livelihood of families destroyed”, it was stated.
Likewise, it was pointed out that no individual can be taxed twice in a year. For instance, a salaried person or businessmen once taxed cannot be imposed household tax or vice-versa, the memorandum stated. The memorandum also said that non-cadres cannot collect tax on behalf of the Naga political groups. The present practice of forcing GBs & Colony Chairmen and utilizing non-locals, especially illegal immigrants to collect tax should be discontinued immediately, it stated and that only authorized personnel of Naga political groups would be allowed to collect tax.
Further, it asserted that Meitei, Kuki and Karbi Underground groups “collecting tax in Dimapur with express understanding of Naga political groups shall not be allowed.”
In order to streamline taxation, the memorandum also stated that the Naga political groups should bring out a “Tax brochure” so that yearly tax can be levied in a transparent manner and confusion can be avoided. “This will also eliminate middlemen, local muscles and bogus national workers who take undue advantage of the taxation climate which is hazy at best”.
Pointing out that the Ato Kilonser has time and again forced home the concept that “Sovereignty lies with the people”, the memorandum pointed out that this means the movement is for the people and by the Naga people. However it lamented that the years of cease-fire has been nothing but the watering down of ideals of the past years.
Naga civil society therefore urged the Ato Kilonser to respect the wishes of the people and accept the memorandum “which has been most humbly submitted for your perusal”. “Naga civil society is once again constrained to stress home the point that in the event of non-cooperation with this peoples’ movement for a just society, we cannot be held responsible for any cause and effect which may undermine NSCN (IM) and other Naga political groups and imperil the movement itself”, the memorandum stated.
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