Dimapur, July 20 (MExN): A so-stated “tool tax” reportedly being levied by Dimapur Municipal Council and Kohima Municipal Council is harrying local farmers of Phek district no end and the cultivators are demanding that the government take action.
According to the Phek District Farmers’ Union (PDFU) the Kohima Municipal Council and the Dimapur Municipal Council have been collecting Rs. 300 to Rs. 400 for a mini-truck ‘trip’ of vegetables as “tool tax” merely for passing their check gates. “Sometimes the tool-tax collectors charged Rs. 20 per 50 kilogram of vegetables by forcing the vegetable transporters to unload the loaded vegetables for counting the number of packed bags without caring the unnecessary harassment being faced by the farmers or transporters,” the union said in a statement today.
The union met on July 16 in Pfutsero to discuss the matter.
Decrying the “tax” the union said it is ready to produce evidence if any individual wants to know of the matter.
The union also expressed shock to observe that some “tool-tax collectors” charge less “tax” if without cash receipts and more if with cash receipts. “This clearly shows that there is random corruption and manipulation in the dealings,” the union said. The union further expressed resentment for the random collection “taxes” by both authorized and unauthorized bodies in towns as we as roads.
“In the light of the facts mentioned above, we once again urge upon all the concerned authorities to attend to the problems being faced by the rural-based farmers at the earliest. Failing which there will be no point of encouraging the farmers to take up commercial cultivation,” the farmers stated.
Drought relief funds demanded
Phek’s farmers have also said thy have detected loopholes in identification and selection of farmers affected by natural calamities and beneficiaries of various programs during 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. The farmers have urged the administration and the agriculture and allied departments in Phek to maintain transparency “with sincere efforts.” The farmers have also demanded from the authorities, early release of drought relief to those affected by the 2009 drought in the state.
According to the Phek District Farmers’ Union (PDFU) the Kohima Municipal Council and the Dimapur Municipal Council have been collecting Rs. 300 to Rs. 400 for a mini-truck ‘trip’ of vegetables as “tool tax” merely for passing their check gates. “Sometimes the tool-tax collectors charged Rs. 20 per 50 kilogram of vegetables by forcing the vegetable transporters to unload the loaded vegetables for counting the number of packed bags without caring the unnecessary harassment being faced by the farmers or transporters,” the union said in a statement today.
The union met on July 16 in Pfutsero to discuss the matter.
Decrying the “tax” the union said it is ready to produce evidence if any individual wants to know of the matter.
The union also expressed shock to observe that some “tool-tax collectors” charge less “tax” if without cash receipts and more if with cash receipts. “This clearly shows that there is random corruption and manipulation in the dealings,” the union said. The union further expressed resentment for the random collection “taxes” by both authorized and unauthorized bodies in towns as we as roads.
“In the light of the facts mentioned above, we once again urge upon all the concerned authorities to attend to the problems being faced by the rural-based farmers at the earliest. Failing which there will be no point of encouraging the farmers to take up commercial cultivation,” the farmers stated.
Drought relief funds demanded
Phek’s farmers have also said thy have detected loopholes in identification and selection of farmers affected by natural calamities and beneficiaries of various programs during 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. The farmers have urged the administration and the agriculture and allied departments in Phek to maintain transparency “with sincere efforts.” The farmers have also demanded from the authorities, early release of drought relief to those affected by the 2009 drought in the state.
