EMN
DIMAPUR, APRIL 30
Members of Against Corruption And Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) continuing their awareness drive with the student community visited the Immanuel College, Lenrijan in Dimapur.
The meeting on April 23rd 2014, was held in a frank and free atmosphere where Simon Kelio, ACAUT Liaison convener introduced the ACAUT Team and also reminded the students that the purpose of the visit is to connect with people at the grass roots. He also added that students are the powerhouse to disseminate information.The ACAUT team focused the attention of the students on the issue of ‘corruption’ and ‘taxation’ and how the society is unwittingly is contributing to underground factions. Vice Chairman ACAUT Joel Nillo Kath took the consumption of pork, a popular meat, in the state as an example. Joel explained that the very act of purchasing pork leads to payment of taxes to different factions. He said when pork on which ‘taxes’ has been paid is purchased a contribution has been to various factions and the money taken away is used to buy mansions and expensive cars; He added taxes are being paid without transparency and accountability.
Dr. Kekhugha Muru, ACAUT Convener RTI Cell sensitized the students on corruption. “To oppose corruption is the highest obligation of Patriotism”, he said. Dr. Muru stated that that in some districts, the contractors are left only with 25% of money after various deductions from various quarters. How then he questioned, is it possible to expect contractors to provide quality work less than half the estimated amount of money. He pointed out that Politicians, Bureaucrats, Technocrats and Judiciary are all equally corrupted.
Solomon K.Awomi, ACAUT General Secretary turned the discussion on its heels by challenging the students to take the issue of corruption into their drawing rooms at home. He asked if students are prepared to question their parents or relatives when they are found indulging in corrupt activities.
The student community received more insight into how tax is collected from ACAUT Public Mobilization Convener Tia Longchar. He described how every district pays tax to one group or the other and it has become like a turf war between different factions for territories/districts like the old Mafias of the United States.
Kevitho Kera ACAUT Social Media Convener and Media Co-convener brought about a spiritual angle into the ACAUT Movement. He challenged the students that if Jesus can use the little boy to feed Five Thousand people; Jesus can still use young people today to touch the lives of not only thousands but Lakhs of people. Just bring whatever big or little you have to God and He will use it like He used the little boy’s Loaves and Fishes he added.
The outcome of the attempts of the ACAUT team is best summed judged from the reaction of a young student who said:
“My father is a G.B President of a district in Eastern Nagaland. He collects Rs. 500 from every household which is illegal and for kuccha houses he collects Rs. 200, Rs. 100 or Rs. 50. I told my father to resign from his post because I was ashamed of him. I told him when I am in the picture of the ACAUT Rally of Dimapur which came out in the newspapers, how can my father be so corrupt”
Vote of Thanks was given by Mr. Sinhyunlo Keppen, Department of English and Benediction was pronounced by Miss. Füshoni, Dept of English. ACAUT Nagaland would like to visit more colleges and the Principal and administration can contact Tia Longchar, 9863144588.The Principal of Immanuel College, Mr. Th.Sharatchandra Singh also asked the students to disseminate the information gathered from the meeting.
