EMN
Dimapur, October 16
The Chumukedima Chamber of Commerce & Trade Association (CCCTA) has come down heavily on a local union of meat dealers for accusing the administrators of Chumukedima for penalizing three persons who were caught committing offenses.
The association issued a press release on Thursday expressing shock and embarrassment to read a statement of the Butchers’ Union of Chumukedima. The butchers’ union had criticized the EAC of Chumukedima for raiding and checking which the dealers called “illegal.”
The CCCTA lauded the administration for checking illegal activities and practices by butchers in the areas of Chumukedima. The raid was conducted by the EAC administration of Chumukedima with the CCCTA, GBs, DBs, auto union and police, the association reminded the butchers and meat dealers. During the raid three dealers namely K Sekhose, T Tobu and KV Aba were caught red handed. They were connecting wires and manipulating the electronic weighting machines to “rob/ loot” public of their money, the association stated. ‘CCCTA informs that the joint surprise raid was conducted considering public interest as numerous complaints were received from the public. Therefore, the CCCTA vehemently condemns the so-called president of butchers’ union of Chumukedima for criticizing the EAC Chumukedima for the noble things he has done for the people of Chumukedima,” the association stated.
The association made clear that defaulters and violators will get their trade licenses cancelled and exemplary penalty would be imposed to discourage ‘evil practices.’ Fresh licenses would be issued only to aspiring applicants, the association added.
Consumers tell butchers, meat dealers to be honest
In a different statement, the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organization (NVCO) has pulled up dealers in meat to be start practicing “truth.” The NVCO issued a press release on Thursday appealing to butchers to be “truthful to their customers in measuring meat with honest balances and honest weights.”
NVCO officials addressed “Butchers’ Day” on October 15 in Touliezie P.Khel in Kohima village. The Butchers’ Union of Kohima Town celebrated the event with NVCO president Kezhokhoto Savi as their guest speaker.
Savi highlighted the various statues and regulations protecting the business community. He encouraged them to raise their voices against “the evil doing upon them and corruption prevailing in the society.”
“As a business community you must do your legal duty and say ‘No’ to illegality such as illegal collection of cash on highway/market places and unabated taxation imposed upon you in multiple ways,” he said.
The Nagaland government had banned collection of cash along check-gates and in any part of the highways by any organization or individual including government departments such as Police, Excise, Forest and Taxes Departments etc.
“However, the state government fails to check this menace that the forest department continue collections of cash at the check-gates so as municipal/town council, veterinary department, public organization, etc,” he said.
He also highlighted the complaints of meat dealers that municipal/town councils collect Rs.20 per pig or cow and Rs.100 for vehicle at every toll tax counter. The Veterinary department also imposes cash without checking the number of pigs or cows. Vehicle carrying 40-50 pigs pay Rs.800 to Rs.1000 at every toll tax counter. The butchers have to pay Rs.7000 per shop towards trade license annually. The municipal/town councils collect huge amounts of money from business community as toll tax but in return they provide nothing of which the purpose of toll tax was not served, the NVCO president stated.
The complaints of the public about unhygienic areas where meat are sold was another subject the NVCO president broached. ‘The state government particularly the concerned department together with municipal council should take up the responsibility of providing basic infrastructure facilities such as slaughter house and separate marketing shed for selling meat to be located with proper hygienic condition and sanitation friendly,’ he said.
Savi urged the butchers to be honest in their dealings with consumers. He requested the butchers to be ‘honest in measuring meat as they serve their customers for the fact that getting accurate weight is the greatest delight of the consumers/buyers.’ He referred to the scripture in the Bible where God commanded the people to be honest: “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but an accurate weight is His delight”.
Facilities, undergrounds, extortion etc
The Butchers’ Union of Kohima Town has appealed to the state government to provide basic infrastructure facilities to the butchers. Also, they expressed resentment at the many underground organizations that extort from the people and businessmen. They appealed to the armed groups not to impose taxes until all the factions unite.
The butchers have also assured the public that they would be honest to their customers in “measuring meat with honest balances and honest weights.” The union has asked the department in concern to ‘come and verify their measuring instruments but not to charge fees for verification and realization of taxi fares except penalty for wrongdoing.’
