DIMAPUR, MAY 27: ACAUT Nagaland today said the State Government notification banning all check gates in Nagaland to curb illegal collection of money is a step in the right direction for and early Naga political settlement.
“As ACAUT has always asserted that unabated taxation is one of the main cause of factionalism, this significant Notification against illegal taxation should lead to a step closer for Naga Political settlement”, it said in a press release, while lauding Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi for exercising the provisions of special power under Article 371(A) in case of law and order by issuing the notification on May 19.
ACAUT also demanded that the lessee system practiced by Municipal Councils in Nagaland should henceforth be done away completely.
Reminding that with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) imposed nationally since 2017 all other taxes are subsumed, ACAUT urged the Nagaland State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) Department to ensure that no Act or law on taxation should be in contravention with the Central GST.
It also stated that the imposition of royalty and tax on forest and mineral items with transit permit (TP) from other States by both by the Department of Forest and the Department of Geology and Mining is unlawful and amounts to double taxation, which should be done away with immediately.
ACAUT also maintained that the insistence of paper slip for entry of commercial vehicle with registration number at whichever check-gates serves as the information centre for tracking and sending SMS system for Illegal tax collection. “Instead, GST e-bill should be scanned and verified”, it said.
It also said any authorized toll/tax levied should have services and facilities provided. For instance, the Department of Veterinary should have quarantine centres for animals at the border check-gates for issuing of mandatory pass, it said.
ACAUT also demanded that the lessee system practiced by Municipal Councils in Nagaland should henceforth be done away completely.
At the same time, it wanted that the police be given more teeth and power by the State by legislating an Act like the Maharashtra Crime Control Act and Uttar Pradesh Goondas Act to act as a deterrent.
(Page News Service)
