State govt. appeals to reconsider call for business closure

CNCCI not convinced by measures assured by government

EM Bureau
Dimapur, Sep. 14 (EMN): The government of Nagaland on Tuesday appealed to the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) to reconsider its proposed state-wide closure of business establishments, highlighting the steps it had decided to initiate to address its demands.

Standing in solidarity with the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s call to down shutters in the commercial hub on September 16 in protest against multiple taxation by Naga political groups (NPGs) and government agencies, the CNCCI on Monday informed that bandh would be extended to the entire state.

To formulate a comprehensive strategy to deal with several issues, including illegal taxation and fees collected by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) raised by the business body in its representation to the chief secretary, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister on Monday, said an update from DIPR.

The following decisions were taken at the meeting:

– The collection of any kind of tax/fees on items/goods that comes under GST regime shall be immediately stopped by all the municipals and town councils across the state. Any other government department/agency, which may be collecting tax on any items falling under GST regime shall also give directions for immediately stopping such collections.

–  Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, in consultation with PHQ will immediately put in place a security grid and take other measures, including stationing sufficient security personnel at various locations to check illegal taxation/extortion.

–  The Administrators of all the ULBs will take steps for including the representatives of the business communities of their cities/towns in their advisory committees for taking decisions in respect to various business related activities.

The update informed that the government would issue necessary orders regarding decisions taken at the meeting.

It also informed that the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (Sarfeasi) Act 2002, is under examination of the Select Committee of Nagaland Legislative Assembly. It was informed that committee would try to table it in the next assembly session.

Citing the steps taken up to address its demands, the government had requested the CNCCI to reconsider its call for state-wide business closure and support the various departments in tackling the taxation menace and improve the ease of doing business in the state.

The update went on to inform that the meeting was attended by Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Chief Secretary, DGP, Addl. Chief Secretary and Finance Commissioner, Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs and several other officials.

Call for closure to shops still stands

The chairman of CNCCI, Khekugha Muru, told Eastern Mirror that the call closure of business establishment across the state still stands.

He said that the government has replied to their letter and “meted some of our demands but certain demands are still very vague from their end, and also the issue of multiple taxation is not (something) to do with only state government but also with the Naga political groups”.

He went on to say that as announced, business establishments across Nagaland will remain closed on September 16 but other activities will remain normal.