Says they raise fare to make up loss from extortion
EMN
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 29
The Kohima District Truck Owners and drivers’ Union admitted that they are forced to raise charges and fees to make up for the huge losses they incur because they have to concede to extortion and so-called taxes from various organizations. The union has extended full support to the public rally against corruption and extortion on October 31 in Kohima called under the initiative of the Angami Public Organization, Angami Youth Organization, and the Angami Students’ Union. The union issued a press release on Wednesday stating its support.
“The transporters especially trucks has been victimized by numerous taxes collected by different organizations for which the transporters run into huge loss and therefore having no alternative but to raise its fare which subsequently results in rise of price of commodity in the market thus adversely affecting the consumers which includes every citizen of Nagaland,” the union stated.
The union stated that the government of Nagaland had issued an order on June 22, 2009 that no “taxes” would be collected by any organization or individual including government departments such as police, excise, forest and taxes departments. “However, despite such order, there are still collection of numerous taxes resulting in harassment and huge loss,” the union stated.
The truck owners and drivers have expressed deep appreciation to the Angami public and students organization for the initiating the ACAUT rally in Kohima. The organization has expressed full support and cooperation. “The KDTODU will be marching from Tata parking to the place of rally on 31 October and thereby requesting all its members not to ply their vehicle and to take part in the rally,” the organization stated.
