Curb illegal taxation at check gates, urges Business Association of Nagas

Dimapur, Oct. 1 (EMN): The Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has thrown its weight behind the agitating truckers, stating that the root cause of “all the commotions” is illegal taxation.

In a press release issued on Thursday, the association maintained that illegal taxation has many forms but the point of concern is taxation at check gates.

“The truckers have been bogged down by tax collection at check gates and they have said ‘enough is enough’ – and rightly so. No right thinking person would want to be taxed multiple times at various locations.  Keeping in mind GST norms one wonders if collection of some of these taxes is legal. Moreover, a major part of these collections do not reach the state’s exchequer.

“Goods carrying vehicles stopped at various points not only encourage multiple taxations for the same commodity but also make it convenient for various unscrupulous individuals and organisations to levy taxes. In the midst of all these the public will ultimately pay the price once the cost of commodities goes up,” it stated.

According to the association, the government of the day – more often than not – has the tendency to react once a matter is reaching boiling point. “BAN only hopes the matter does not become too hot for the state government to handle,” it stated.