Dimapur, June 2 (EMN): Reacting to the news item “Wokha transporters allege extortion, illegal levy by Geology and Mining,” published on June 1 in this daily, the Merapani Village Council has clarified that there is no illegal tax collection by any unscrupulous group under Merapani jurisdiction.
In a rejoinder to the All Commercial Vehicle Association of Wokha, the village council chairman has clarified that ‘recently the department of Geology and Mining has issued sand stockiest permit to local entrepreneurs under the Nagaland Minor Mineral Concession Rules of 2004.’
Accordingly, the council said whosoever purchase sand from the stockiest are to pay royalty as per the government rule, but those transporters not having valid license are intentionally evading tax, and are transporting sand which is illegal.
The council said if the claimed that payment of tax to the govt. is illegal and branding the authorized department or agent as illegal then matter lies with the law enforcing agencies to decide who is doing legal business.
