Dimapur, Nov 6 (MExN): In response to a Delhi High Court advocate questioning the authority of the Dimapur administration banning certain societies for collecting unauthorized tax, Dimapur Deputy Commissioner has reminded that whether registered or not, the banned societies are not authorized by the Government to collect “even a paisa” from any citizens. It asserted that registration is not a license to collect tax.
“Registration of a society with the Government is not a license to collect tax from the public and on running vehicles” a rejoinder from Dimapur Deputy Commissioner Nzimongo Ngullie stated while informing that presently there are about 10 societies collecting unauthorized tax from vehicles. “These societies are in nowhere permitted by the government to collect even a paisa from the innocent vehicles/drivers and public. There is a difference between society and government. Government can sanction/order and levy tax whereas societies have no right to levy tax and fix rate of tax on any citizen” the DC reminded.
While stating that the district administration is unaware whether or not the societies are government-registered, the rejoinder pointed out that complaints have been received from the public that the (banned) societies are collecting tax from vehicles in Dimapur town. “On examination of the public complaints, the district administration and Police have taken steps to check these illegal collection and many of them were caught red-handed collecting unauthorized taxes in the town. Collection coupons and APR were also seized” the DC informed. The DC made it clear that it is the bounden duty of the administration as well as the Deputy Commissioner’s to see that no innocent citizen is harassed or extorted from by any individual or society. “Therefore in the interest of public service and to protect the interest of public, DC has banned the illegal collection resorting by these societies as mentioned in the news items” the DC added.
