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Dimapur, Aug. 31 (EMN): The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has expressed anguish over the alarming increase in “illegal taxation” by various groups, saying that the menace has crippled the entire business community in the state.
The association stated in a press release that illegal taxation has shot up since the pandemic started last year and that it would be forced to “take extreme measures including closure of all shops and business houses if the government turns a blind eye to the plight of the business community”.
“Multiple illegal taxation imposed by various groups starts right from train wagons to godowns and extends till the showroom or respective shops. Besides the yearly taxation imposed by various groups to each and every shop, these groups have also started imposing taxes item-wise,” read the press release.
It said that a new form of harassment has started in the form of random checking and raids on godowns by various groups, with some going to the extent imposing heavy penalties if damaged goods or expired items were found.
However, the business community clarified that they had to “store the expired items and damaged goods in godowns as companies give refund for such goods”, adding that such items are “either returned to respective companies or later destroyed”.
Terming the imposition of penalties as unwarranted, the traders requested the “groups” to suggest a solution to ‘store expired or damaged goods before due process of refund or disposal’.
It went on to state that various groups target Dimapur as their tax base, which is why commodities are costlier in the city than in other districts and adjoining border towns.
The DCCI also stated the government and district administration had failed to address the issue despite numerous representations though a chunk of the state’s revenue comes from the business community.
Maintaining that the traders can no longer bear the brunt of multi-tier taxation, it asked if they should pay taxes to the various groups or the state government. It went on to state that the business community would be forced to close shops if the government fails to address their plight.
The DCCI also requested the district administration to allow opening of all shops on all weekdays except Sundays and urged the Dimapur Municipal Council to do away with item-wise toll tax to ease the burden of traders.
It further cautioned business houses not to indulge in any kind of illegal or unfair trade practices, warning that defaulters would be penalised as per provision of the law. It also reminded them to strictly adhere to SOPs as laid down by the district task force.