Beyond the visible

The indefinite shutter down strike called by the Dimapur District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) from April 26 and later subsequently joined by the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) which widened the strike to the statewide shutter down strike from April 28 . The indefinite statewide shutter down strike was relaxed for 6 hours on April 29 and by evening, it was called off after the state government responded directly to the DCCI. It may be pointed out that the state government had issued a press statement on April 26 indicating its response to the DCCI demands but it did not cover the entire 5-point charter. Nevertheless after the state government eventually wrote to the DCCI and responded positively to the demands, the shutter down strike was called off with effect from April 30, the next day.

Much has been written about the spate of illegal, unabated and multiple taxation imposed by various organisations notably the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) and which have inflamed the public since over two decades back. This became worse after 2003 when the subsequent governments adopted a passive and equi-closeness policy to counter and contrast with the previous government’s equi-distant policy. The policy may have unintentionally or not, led to creation of more factions from four during 2003 and presently to 24 factions. Along with the mushrooming of factions came extortions not once but multiple times for the same item. Over and above many other so-called registered unions and associations also preyed upon the already fear stricken public to impose fees at will under whatever pretext and all of which truly made Dimapur live up to its dubious reputation from commercial centre to collection centre and to extortion centre of the north east.

There is another looming shadow behind the extortion cottage industry of Nagaland and which is syndication of the market which works on a more subtle yet potently as economically strangulating as other forcible collections. Business syndicates typically operate by forming agreements or collaborations among themselves to control or manipulate certain aspects of the market. This can include price-fixing, limiting competition, allocating markets, or manipulating supply and demand to their advantage. They often use their collective power to influence government policies or regulations in their favour, creating barriers to entry for new competitors and maintaining their dominance in the market.

Instead of allowing for fair competition based on merit and innovation, business syndicates create artificial constraints that can lead to higher prices for consumers, reduced choices, and overall inefficiency in the market. It’s time to seriously ponder over the urgent need for a market regulatory body, also known as a regulatory agency or regulatory authority. This is an independent government constituted body tasked with overseeing and regulating specific sectors or aspects of the economy to ensure fair competition, protect consumers, and maintain market stability. Meanwhile, the entire gamut of illegal collections whether at gates or godowns or shops and syndication of market are serious issue that need to be addressed by government and CSOs. If that is not done then the economic prospects of Dimapur and the entire state will be doomed and instead nearby Khatkhati, Lahorijan, Bokajan and even Diphu will blossom and people from Nagaland will be compelled to go for shopping to these places.