Large-scale collection industry

 That rampant, unabated and illegal taxations/collections throughout the decades by all and sundry which have remained unchecked has finally resulted in flight of business from Dimapur as admitted by the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry(DCCI) through a press statement. In fact, this newspaper had since the early 90s, highlighted such activities and concluded, that if unchecked, these would ultimately result in exodus of business firms to neighbouring towns in Assam. DCCI in its statement said the flight/shifting away of business firms from Nagaland has resulted in huge loss in GST revenue. This is a double whammy, as in addition to loss of GST revenue, customers/buyers from Nagaland will continue to be saddled with high transportation cost due to rampant multiple taxations imposed by government agencies/ departments such as taxes, excise, forest, geology and mining, veterinary and animal husbandry, Dimapur Municipal Council and police in addition to unions/associations and nearly ten NPGs. DCCI has also disclosed that imposition of taxes by NPGs on train wagons carrying essential commodities bound for Nagaland and Manipur has also resulted reduction of business volume by 60% to 70% . Wholesale dealers of essential commodities have to pay huge amount per the ‘slab’ imposed per wagon for different items. Many wholesale dealers have shifted to Silchar due to rampant extortion. Even transporters avoid passing through and preferring to take the alternative, though longer route from Silchar to Imphal through Jiribam. Due to this, many hotels especially wayside dhabas and tea shops that used to dot the length of the NH 29 from Dimapur to Imphal, have had to close and many entrepreneurs out of job and depriving families of livelihood. Collections from check gates and even within towns and villages have also resulted high cost of construction materials since trucks have to pay many hands for carriage of cement, bricks and wood. All these added costs have to be borne by the people. The illegal collections have risen during the past few years as more join enter this thriving cottage industry. Successive governments in the state have either turned a blind eye or simply wished them away with empty promises. After massive protests, the Dimapur district had in 2008 ordered all unions/associations to close their collection offices along the NH 29 or near check gates or else face prosecution. Even in 2012 the then chief secretary issued an executive order banning all forms of cash collections, in any manner, be it fee, welfare tax or any other tax under whatever guise. An order was also passed by the Gauhati High Court on June 3,2014 that prohibited unions/associations/ federations etc from collecting cash under the plea of fee or donation etc at national or state highways and from establishing any collection/information centres along the highways. Such rampant and multiple taxes had also led to economic blockades imposed on Nagaland by several Assam truckers associations. Since the early part of 2012 ACAUT had organised public rallies against blatant collections in the name of taxes. Public Action Committee(PAC) presently formed by all apex tribe hohos of Dimapur has been at the forefront against rampant and illegal gate collections. Despite executive and high court orders, spate of public rallies, vigil on check gates and even the Governor’s missive to the chief minister, these activities appear to have spread like cancerous cells.