Extending support to Lahorijan and Khatkhati Truck Owners’ Welfare Society, Assam and Bokajan Truck Owners’ Association, Assam’s warning to block national highways, Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has appealed to the State government to stop COVID cess on fuel and illegal taxation at check-gates and on highways.
In a press release, NVCO shared the concern expressed by both the Assam-based truckers’ bodies over taxes being collected from heavy vehicles by various law enforcing agencies and underground outfits at different designated points and gates starting from Dimapur entry gate till Imphal.
It appealed to the State government to stop illegal collection at all check-gates and on highways by effectively executing its standing order of June 22, 2009 which has banned all forms of cash collection by any organisation/individual including various government departments such as police, excise, forest and taxes.
NVCO pointed out that the check-gates are controlled and maintained by Nagaland Police mainly to check vehicles carrying contraband goods or any stolen goods, vehicles, etc, but not to take cash from vehicles/truckers.
According to NVCO, the practice of illegal taxation or collection of cash in Nagaland were in different forms like taxes imposed on the business community, government employees, developmental projects, etc, by various underground factions, deduction and collection of abnormal commissions allegedly in the name of party funds and several others, including higher-up offices, mainly from development projects/contractors’ bills, collection of cash on the highways and at check-gates by unions, public organisations, state police, federations, associations, government departments, etc.
It also recalled that in the past several bandhs, chakka jam and strikes were called by various councils, union and truckers associations against illegal taxation and extortion in the state, that have led to sky rocketing of prices of all commodities.
NVCO has therefore appealed on the district administration to give more efforts in tackling the illegal taxation menace at check gates and highways especially in Kohima and Dimapur.