DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 11 (MExN): The Public Action Committee (PAC), Naga Council Dimapur has written to the Nagaland Chief Secretary urging him to check illegal collection of money on National Highways between Manipur and Nagaland.
In a representation addressed to the Chief Secretary, the PAC, quoting the words of the transporters, said due to illegal collection of money en-route to Dimapur from Manipur , the price of commodities are greatly hiked which ultimately is borne by the end user-consumers.
In this connection, the PAC has urged the Chief Secretary to seriously take up the issue and coordinate with his counterpart in Manipur to contain the activity of illegal collection of money along the highway in order to ease and avoid price escalation.
In another representation, the PAC has asked the Chief Secretary to put regulations on a number of issues for strict compliance.
Stop DMC lease system, ban syndicates
To begin with, the PAC has demanded that the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) lease system be immediately stopped and only staff of the municipal council in uniform with name tags be deputed to collect its legitimate tax.
Commodities without GST should be properly regulated with proper rates and challans to ensure revenue reaches state exchequer. The state government should strictly formulate which departments are eligible to collect what tax, with proper charts and receipts, the PAC suggested.
The state government must immediately stop police personnel from collecting money, and cancel/ban organizations collecting money at the check gates.
It also demanded immediate ban of syndicates and allow free open market and ensure that the district administration regulate prices of all commodities at regular intervals.
The PAC reminded that in the recent ‘operation gate’ from September 16-21 where all the three entry gates of Dimapur were manned by tribal hoho volunteers, it detected many unauthorized collection of money, levying of irrelevant tax, royalty etc.
It went to point out that two government departments were collecting royalty for the same item. Besides, rates fixed by the various departments were not followed and levied much beyond rates stipulated.
It also stated that the PAC had sought details from the district administration before the ‘operation gate’ episode to provide information on which departments have been entitled to collect tax, which has not been furnished till date.
GST already there, so why tax?
The PAC also questioned the nature of tax being demanded since the Government of India has already introduced GST on the schema of ‘one nation one tax.’ It also wanted answers on how the state government departments can levy royalty on minor minerals coming from outside.
The PAC also alleged that commercial vehicle (s) crossing the gates are obliged to pay money to police while non compliance would mean the vehicle (s) are prohibited to pass. It further revealed that volunteers on duty have witnessed of handyman running to pay or drivers just tossing the money to uniformed personnel manning the gates.
While highlighting the above pressing issues, the PAC-NCD maintained that it is neither against the administration nor the government of the day but against the unabated illegal and rampant collection of money. It hoped that the state government will reign in the departments; organizations etc and make Nagaland a better place to live in.
Condemns denial of multiple illegal collections
Meanwhile, the Public Action Committee has expressed shock that a senior Naga citizen could so vocally come out in open to deny the multiple illegal collections at Southern Angami area and use ‘undemocratic words’ against the president and secretary of Kohima District Truck Owners and Drivers Union (KDTODU).
In a seprate press statement, PAC media cell said it is well aware of these illegal collections and has extended its support to KDTODU and NVCO who are fighting against such illegal activities. It also appealed the district administration to firmly deal with such individuals, unions who work against the welfare of our society.
The PAC further stated that the district administration should not delay in setting up an enquiry as demanded by the union and ensure that all illegal collection of money is banned.
The PAC also called upon all sections of the Naga society to wake up from our slumber and differentiate what is legal and illegal so that truth prevails.
