The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industry has demanded strict enforcement of the municipal toll ban, warning of democratic action if illegal collections resume.
Share
DIMAPUR — The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CNCCI) on Tuesday welcomed the Department of Municipal Affairs’ latest order directing all Municipal and Town Councils to immediately cease collection of tolls, urban utility taxes, vehicle entry fees and similar levies, but cautioned that past experience has shown repeated failures in enforcement and warned of democratic action if illegal collections resume.
In a press statement, the CNCCI referred to Order No. MA-125/2015/Pt-II dated February 23, 2026, and said while it appreciates the directive, the history of earlier government assurances and subsequent violations cannot be ignored.
The confederation recalled that it had earlier launched an all-Nagaland shutter down agitation against illegal check gates and arbitrary collections, following which the state government constituted a committee under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton. It further cited the Municipal Affairs Department’s Order No. MA-23/2020 (Pt.II) dated November 16, 2021, which had directed that “Collection of any kind of taxes/fees on items/goods that come under the GST regime shall be immediately stopped by all Municipal and Town Councils across the State of Nagaland.”
According to the CNCCI, several municipal and town councils failed to adhere to the 2021 directive and resumed various forms of collections, thereby undermining the authority of the government and the committee headed by the deputy chief minister.
Also read: Foreign nationals entering Nagaland without PAP despite advisories, Dimapur Police warn
Second public property damage in 10 days; Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation files FIR
The confederation said it again resorted to an all-Nagaland shutter down, which led to the issuance of a Home Department order dated May 19, 2022 (Order No. CON-1/G/41/2011). That order banned all check gates in the state except inter-state police check gates, prohibited illegal collection of money at check gates and other locations, covered government departments, associations, unions and other entities, and provided for punishment of violators under Sections 188 and 384 of the IPC.
The CNCCI stated that while the implementation of the May 19, 2022 order temporarily brought relief to consumers and the business community, it was subsequently violated by certain government departments, municipal councils and town councils. Such repeated disregard of official directives, it maintained, raises serious questions about adherence to the rule of law in the state.
While welcoming the latest February 23 order, the confederation said it remains cautious and stressed that issuance of orders without strict monitoring and enforcement reduces them to “mere eyewash in the eyes of the public.” It said this pattern has eroded the confidence of consumers, the market and the business community.
The CNCCI demanded strict, visible and time-bound enforcement of both the November 16, 2021 and May 19, 2022 orders. It also called upon the Home Department to immediately implement its May 19, 2022 directive “in letter and spirit”, alleging that certain government departments have once again begun collections at various gates.
Making its position clear, the CNCCI stated that under no circumstances will it accept any relaxation or backdoor reintroduction of such collections.
It warned that any attempt to revive illegal tolls or fees would be strongly opposed and said the confederation would not hesitate to take democratic action, including going to the streets, to safeguard consumers and the business community.