Peren District Timber Dealers’ Association (pdtda) has urged the authorities in- charge and Nagaland Timber Trades Union (nttu) to ‘immediately intervene’ and stop the illegal taxes collected by check-gates personnel and unauthorized organizations. According to Peren district timber dealers’ association president, N. John Zeliang, even after obtaining the legal ‘challan’ (transit pass) and payment of forest loyalty and subsequent payment to the department in charge, check gates personnel still imposed excess taxes as entry fees on loaded vehicles. The association in release also queried on how check gates personnel could force the drivers to pay rupees 200 to 300 per vehicle entry fees even after producing the circular order issued by divisional forest officer and superintendent of police, Jalukie.
Expression concern over the situation, the association has appealed the authorities in charge to depute one check gate in every district by appointing efficient personnel to avoid illegal tax collection in future for the welfare of timber business community and public.
