Economic self disability

There are primary needs which must be provided in order to put Dimapur on track and this can only begin by providing the basic need such as an efficient administrative and police machinery to thwart activities and growth of anti social elements and side by side, ensure improvement of basic amenities such as power, water and cleanliness. Voices for economic progress have been heard since decades back but these have proved to be in vain, in the long run. Atop all is the concern of inflationary trends caused by rising price of almost every commodity in the market pushed by non-market factors. What appears to be a known are factors that have been driving market prices high and which are in the form of forcible collection of illegal taxes by various factions and syndicates operating with virtual impunity in Dimapur. Traders pass on the ‘negative benefits’ to the helpless customers or if prices are to be maintained, it then calls for drastic reduction in quality.ACAUT Nagaland had since 2010, focussed primarily on multiple and unabated taxes collected first at check gates by various Naga National Groups(NPGs), Police, Excise, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Excise, Geology & Mining, Transport, Taxes departments etc besides scores of unions and organisations espousing lofty ideals and also DMC which taxed everything that literally moved.These taxes have led to sky rocketing of prices at Dimapur. Even the prices of such items as sand or bricks at Dimapur are subjected to artificial factors. One may understand how imposition of multiple and unabated taxes by so many groups including state government agencies have systematically destroyed an independent and free market system which has been replaced by syndication of controlled market system. Construction materials in Dimapur are becoming more and more costlier than at nearby Karbi Anglong towns. At times, some organisations in Karbi Anglong are also asked to push up retail prices sky high so that the outrageous rates in Dimapur markets are justified and legitimised.It is also time to seriously consider the imperative need to streamline the town’s transport system and introduction of private buses for various routes. Side by side, there is also a need to accord due importance towards improving railway and flight connectivity. Even neighbouring Diphu, the district headquarters of Karbi Anglong appears to be over taking Dimapur in terms of development. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has promised to transform Karbi Anglong and intentionally or not, if that happens, it will reduce the commercial importance of Dimapur. He has also already announced plans to construct a Greenfield airport in Karbi Anglong. There are plans to redevelop Diphu and Bokajan railway stations with ultra modern facilities and more passenger platforms. Unlike Nagaland where encroachers are not only tolerated but accommodated through dubious claims by invoking Article 371A, the Assam government, on the other hand, has proved its determination by bulldozing illegal structures to evict the encroachers without any leniency. Diphu and Bokajan and to an extent Dhansiri stations will soon rise to a much higher level than that of Dimapur. More passenger platforms will mean these railway stations will have stoppage of dozens of long distance trains. What is therefore needed, is to mainstream all the concept and ideas to develop a unified effort so that the positive fall out will help create much needed economic foundation not only of Dimapur but also the state.