Dimapur, September 6 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers Organisation (NVCO) on Sunday appealed to the state government to stop the COVID cess on fuel.
Extending its support to the Lahorijan and Khatkhati Truck Owners Welfare Society Assam and Bokajan Truck Owners Association Assam who had earlier threatened to block the National Highways, the NVCO also made its appeal to stop illegal taxation at the check-gates and on highways.
The Lahorijan and Khatkhati Truck Owners Welfare Society Assam and Bokajan Truck Owners Association Assam had earlier voiced their concern over tax being collected from the heavy vehicles by “various law enforcing agencies and underground outfits” at different designated points and gates starting from Dimapur entry gate till Imphal.
The Organisation said that the check-gates are controlled and maintained by Nagaland Police mainly to check the vehicles carrying contraband goods or any theft of goods, vehicles, etc., but not to take cash from vehicles/truckers.
It pointed out the standing order issued by the Chief Secretary to the Government of Nagaland on June 22, 2009 which stated that the State Government had decided that henceforth no collection of taxes/cash shall be made by any organisation or individual including government departments such as Police, Excise, Forest and Taxes Departments etc.
“No check post should be allowed to block the highway just for toll tax,” it added.
The NVCO alleged that collection of cash by police, organisations, etc. continues till date, and added that the practice has to be stopped.
Today more check-gates have come up and even more toll tax counter with more amounts, NVCO President Kezhokhoto Savi, said.
He also highlighted that the major cause of price rise is illegal taxation, and appealed to all the District administrations in the state to give more effort in tackling illegal taxation at the check-gates and on highways, especially the state capital Kohima and commercial hub, Dimapur.
