Dimapur known as the commercial hub of the state has been lately facing a lot of business hiccups due to “taxation imposed” by various Naga political groups.
Set against the backdrop of Dimapur-based civil society organizations taking a resolution to pay “only one tax” to any one faction of the underground groups, there are reports of shortage of betel leaf (mitha paan patta) supply in Dimapur for the last ten days.
According to a reliable source, there was shortage of betel leaf in the market and the shortfall in supply was mainly due to enormous “tax” demand by the factions.
The source said betel leaf consignments from Kolkata have been procured at the rate of Rs. 4000-4500 per basket with additional charge of about Rs. 1400 for transport and labour.
Astonishingly, the same source revealed that this year the local importers have been asked to pay Rs. 1800 each to both NSCN (I-M) and GPRN/NSCN, Rs. 1000 to FGN, Rs. 500 to NNC and Rs. 100 to Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC).
NSCN (K) has not yet quoted the rate of their “tax” however it is “guaranteed” that the group would impose the same rate as NSCN (I-M) and GPRN/NSCN, added the source.
Stating that this “enormous tax” was the reason for the shortage of betel leaf in the market, the source pointed out that the total “tax” imposed was more than the actual price of the betel leaf per basket.
It was also revealed that small night market or footpath vendors have been asked to pay Rs. 30 each to NSCN (I-M), GPRN/NSCN and NNC.
The source said most of the betel leaf wholesalers have shut down their business as they could not pay the “tax” and added that some betel leaves which were available in the market as of now were brought from neighbouring Khatkati, Assam.
It was also pointed out that Khakati has now emerged as “well established” business centre due to “taxation” problem in Dimapur.
When Nagaland Post talked to few wholesalers, they admitted that they were purchasing betel leaves from Assam side and that they have stopped procuring the same from Kolkata due to high “taxation”.
It may be noted, that earlier this month Dimapur also faced shortage of fish supply due to “taxation” imposed by different factions.
RELATED POSTS
View all
