Dimapur, Sep. 20 (EMN): The issue of tax collection at check-gates in the state despite implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) surfaced at an awareness campaign on consumer rights, environment, food safety, street vendors, food security and human rights that was held at Nagaland University, Meriema, Kohima campus on September 20.
The resource persons of the programme were LL.B final year students of Kohima Law College namely Bovi Lea, Soreni Mozhui, Kughato A Zhimo, Nesutalu Tetseo and Baman Phom led by its asst. professor Kezhokhoto Savi, an advocate who is also the president of Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO), informed an update from NVCO president on Friday.
Speaking at the programme, Savi questioned the state government for not taking any effective action towards eradication of both authorised and unauthorised collection of taxes in the state especially at the check-gates and on highways. Since the state government had opted to implement GST, which covers all taxes, he said the government can’t allow any other taxes.
“Several neighbouring states had dismantled the check-gates which maintained collections of taxes with the implementation of GST,” he was quoted as saying, adding that NVCO supports the services rendered by the Public Action Committee (PAC) of Naga Council Dimapur, wherein its officials and volunteers have been fighting to stop collection of tax at check-gates.
“Right to safety is one of the main consumer rights. Under the Food Safety & Standard Act 2006, food means any substance whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed and it includes packaged drinking water, vegetables, infant food products, meat, even the water used for food during its manufacture,” read the update. “In Nagaland the Commissioner & Secretary to the government of Nagaland, department of Health & Family Welfare is designated as Food Safety Commissioner and the Chief Medical Officer in the district is designated as Food Safety Officer.”
Informing that Food Safety officials and staff have been conducting surprise check on vegetables, fish, eateries, bakery, hotels etc. in Dimapur and Kohima, Savi appealed to the public to extent co-operation and support to the Food Safety staff in carrying out surprise checking.
