DIMAPUR, SEPT 18 (MExN): The next time you venture out to buy medicines, be aware of your rights. Do not shell out extra cash for what you are not entitled to pay. Arousing the consciousness of consumers towards their rights, the Nagaland Voluntary Consumer Organization (NVCO) has asked them not to pay in excess of the printed price in the category of “inclusive of all taxes.” Under the “Local Tax Extra” category, customers are to pay only 8% extra, after the State Government reduced the Nagaland Sales Tax on drugs and medicines to 4% from 6%. The other 4% constitutes the Central Sales Tax.
The NVCO has requested all the pharmacies in the State not to charge more than 8% on medicine prices, and that too for only medicines which come under the “Local tax Extra” category. It was informed that President of the consumers’ organization, Kezhokhoto Savi, has stressed on the need for uniformity of the tax in all districts. “The NVCO will continue to fight not to pay CST on Consumer as this is illegal as per the provision provided by the Central Sales Tax Act,” a release said while mentioning that Nagaland is the only state which pays Central sales Tax.
It was further informed that the Mokokchung District Consumer Voluntary Organization has now been formed and that the President of the NVCO will officially launch the organization in the near future.
In Mokokchung recently, Savi is said to have replied, “It is not the question of bringing down the price but the consumers/buyers are to fight and insist on the correct price” when citizens, mainly elders, complained and enquired on how to bring medicine prices down during an interaction.
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