Dimapur, June 20 (EMN): Business Association of Nagas (BAN) on Sunday has sought the assistance of the state government to help the business community in Nagaland to overcome the hardships caused by the pandemic.
“Many businesses are barely surviving – we have to pay rent, salaries and repay our loan EMIs. As businesses are generating very little profits to sustain themselves, we fear these tsunami waves created by the pandemic will wash away the businesses we have toiled many years to build,” BAN stated in an open letter to the chief minister of Nagaland.
While appreciating the steps taken by the government to prevent the spread of Covid-19 virus, it urged the government to ponder on the plight of businesses, “especially businesses run by Nagas – who are mostly first generation businessmen”.
“Since the first wave of the pandemic started last year, keeping in mind the gravity of the situation, we have been fully cooperating with whatever restrictions that have been imposed upon us.
As the situation seemed to be getting better, the second wave hit us. There are talks going on in the medical community that a third wave is due soon.
“The business community helps in revenue generation for the state through GST. As the state government cannot provide employment to everyone, the business community is a major employer for people who can’t find government jobs. Therefore, a stable business community is an asset for any state,” read the statement.
BAN further suggested some policies and measures to help alleviate the grievances of the business community to survive this pandemic. It suggested the state government discuss with banks in the state to devise a modality to extend loans to genuine Naga entrepreneurs who pay regular taxes and file returns.
“Naga entrepreneurs today do not get much government assistance – be it to start new ventures or scale up existing businesses. As we are mostly first generation businessmen some hand holding and support will be of great help.
“Since the pandemic started, a lot of focus has been on start-ups and rehabilitating returnees. State government has to remember that existing businesses in the state are the main taxpayers and we employ thousands of people. Existing businesses who are struggling need to be rehabilitated first,” it said.
It stated that the state government should make ‘achievable and small plans in coordination with the business community’.
“Smaller plans and goals are easier to achieve and can be measured. With the experience gained from them, the government can make bigger plans,” it added.