Timber traders demand removal of check gates

Eastern Mirror Desk Dimapur, May 3: Alleging unabated illegal collection of tax by forest officials at check gates, the Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) has urged the department to remove them (check gates) within 30 days. Citing Article 371 (A), NTTU is of the view that Nagaland is a non-forest state where every product belongs to individuals and should be exempted from the purview of taxation. Traders demanded that the department refrain from collecting tax for transportation of timber within the state without Transit Pass (TP). They said that check gates could be installed at inter-state borders but not within the state. Briefing media persons on Friday, NTTU officials cited instances when 1116 trucks were charged INR 11,000 at check gates for transportation of timber from Pfutsero to Dimapur between 15-01-2017 and 09-07-2018. To substantiate its claim, NTTU stated that forest officials charge INR 3000 in Pfutsero, INR 3000 in Peducha and INR 5000 in Chumoukedima. NTTU questioned whether the charged amount was ever deposited in the state ex-chequer as the same amount was doled out without the Transit Pass (TP). What was more annoying was that the officials demand for TP for which the department has not issued till date. Considering the staggering amount charged from transportation of timber alone, it questioned the amount accrued from other forest products apart from timber. NTTU had recently served legal notice to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest for removal of check gates at Chumoukedima, Peducha and Pfutsero. It may also be mentioned that the state chief secretary, in an order dated 22.06.09, restricted collection of cash at the check gates or on National Highway, including organisations, individuals, and government departments such as police, forest, and excise. Guahati High Court, Kohima Bench, in its judgement and order dated 03.06.14 had termed collection of tax in the Highway as ‘illegal’ while dismissing 11 writ petitions.