Dimapur, June 22 (MExN): The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) has said it was deeply perturbed that some Naga Political Groups (NPGs) and other elements were forcefully imposing and collecting tax from shops and business establishments, even at a time when the resources and energy of the whole society and government is focused on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a press release, the DCCI Media Cell cited reports that some NPGs are now demanding ‘item-wise’ taxation and intimidating the business community to meet their demands. “This extreme form of taxation will surely sound the death knell of the business community. Due to extended lockdown, many businessmen are undergoing untold economic hardship and many are not even able to pay rent due to closure of shops for a long period,” it said, while also pointing out that many shops and markets are yet to open their shutters.
As such, DCCI urged the NPGs to understand the situation of the business community who are trying their best to get back on their feet. “At this juncture, better sense should prevail and resorting to intimidation or threat is not the answer as we are all bound together in humanity,” it said.
Further, it appealed the district administration and police to keep vigil and ensure security and safety of the business community.
The DCCI also informed that it had received complaints that student bodies and other organizations were resorting to rampant checking and raiding of shops and business establishments, seizing tobacco products as well as imposing fines on shops for selling tobacco products.
The release stated that the DCCI had submitted a representation to the Dimapur Deputy Commissioner on June 3, urging the district administration to take action against such unauthorized raids and checking.
In this regard, it informed that the Dimapur DC had issued an order on June 15 which stated that “shops selling cigarettes will ensure minimum six feet distance from each other, and also ensure that not more than 5 persons are present at one time at the shop.”
The DC’s order also stated that no permission has been granted to any student bodies or organizations for raiding and seizing of tobacco products, it said.
The DCCI reminded the organizations to take note of the DC’s order and to refrain from unauthorized raiding and checking of shops in future. It also appealed customers and shops selling cigarettes to strictly maintain social distancing as mentioned in the order.
