State paralysed by 12-hour closure of shops, businesses

Staff Reporter/Correspondents DIMAPUR/KOHIMA/MOKOKCHUNG/WOKHA, SEP 17 (NPN) :

Trade bodies warn of intensifying stir, if demands not met
Normal functioning of shops and business activities throughout Nagaland were paralysed due to the one-day closure called by Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CNCCI) and Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) on September 16 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in protest against multiple taxation by Naga political groups and government agencies.

The protest closure passed off peacefully without report of any untoward incident.

Dimapur: All business establishments, including pharmacies, remained shut while vehicles also went off the road during the band period in Dimapur. Volunteers were seen stationed at strategic locations to ensure smooth and peaceful observance of the shutdown.

Posters and banners were also placed at the Clock Tower Junction. Some of which read : “Delay in political solution root cause of multiple taxation”; “Settle Naga peace talks to end multiple taxation, DCCI for one nation one tax” etc.

Addressing media at Hotel Saramati later, CNCCI chairman Dr Khekugha Muru explained that the trade bodies were left with no option but to call the shutter-down protest as they were not satisfied with the State government’s response.

Dr. Muru said CNCCI had submitted four demands before the State government immediate resolution of multiple taxation by NPGs; removal of all forms of taxes/fees collected by civic bodies on items that come under GST regime (which has subsumed all taxes under “One Nation, One Tax”); immediate implementation of SARFAESI Act and nominee representation of trade bodies in all municipal, town and ad-hoc town councils.

He said though the government (on September 14) responded to all the four demands, yet CNCCI after thorough examination of the government’s response, found that two issues were not addressed as expected– immediate resolution of multiple taxation and nominee representation of trade bodies in civic bodies.

Dr. Muru said though the government had directed the commissioner of police, Dimapur to immediately put in place a security grid and take other measures, yet CNCCI demand for a strong State-wide mechanism to keep check on multiple taxation/extortion and not just for Dimapur district was not met since the issue affected the entire State.

On nominee representation in civic bodies, Muru said they were not satisfied with the government’s assurance to include members from trade bodies in the advisory committees. He said their demand was for reserved nominee representation/member in the civic bodies, and not to have an advisory role.

He also disclosed that the CNCCI will be submitting another representation to the government and that if the government still failed to address the demands, CNCCI will not hesitate to opt for more severe agitation. “The one-day shutter-down programme was a token of expression of our angst. But, if our demands are not met, we will step up our agitation,” he warned. The CNCCI president claimed that the one-day closure of shops was successful due to the overwhelming support from various quarters and not just business bodies.

Meanwhile, DCCI president Akashe Zhimomi said the business community can no longer bear multiple taxation. “A shopkeeper cannot serve 13 governments,” he exclaimed.

He also clarified that DCCI was not against any particular NPG but mainly because the State government gave no concrete assurance or took a decision on multiple taxation.

Zhimomi said the State government will have to decide whether multiple taxation by several NPGs were actually extortion or taxation and that if the latter regarded it as “legitimate tax”, then the business community could pay but prices will shoot up as per the tax paid.

Kohima: The total closure of shops in the State Capital passed off peacefully. Speaking to Nagaland Post, Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) president Medozhatuo Rutsa said the shutter-down protest was a huge success and ended peacefully.

He acknowledged Kohima Village Youth Organisation (KVYO) and Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) and traders for their support and cooperation in this regard. He also mentioned that KCCI would abide by the decision of CNCCI vis-à-vis the next course of action.

He said more concrete response was expected from the State government, instead of just deploying security forces in some areas.

Pointing out that the issue of multiple taxation concerned not only the business community, but the entire Nagas, Rutsa therefore urged civil society organisations to extend support, instead of harassing the traders.
Mokokchung: All business activities at Mokokchung town came to a grinding halt as Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MCCI) imposed the State-wide shutter-down protest called by CNCCI. The protest passed off peacefully without any incidents being reported. Later, in a statement, MCCI expressed gratitude to all for cooperation and thanked them for understating the plight of the business community.

MCCI president Tsukti Longkumer said the people of Mokokchung understood the brunt of unabated and illegitimate taxation or extortion being faced by the traders, whose burden was ultimately borne by the citizens. He said MCCI supported CNCCI’s demands and appealed to the government to meet them without any further delay.

Wokha: In response to the call of CNCCI, Wokha District Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WDCCI) imposed a total closure of all business activities, including pharmacies/medical stores, at Wokha.

WDCCI appreciated the support of the business community and cooperation of Wokha Circle Students’ Union, police and district administration in ensuring that the shutter-down protest passed off peacefully.
Meanwhile, the one-day closure of shops in other districts also passed of peacefully.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/state-paralysed-by-12-hour-closure-of-shops-businesses/240438.html