Stop illegal tax collection : Union to Govt
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, February 11 2024:
The Dimapur-Imphal Sand & Essential Commodities Transporter Union (DISECTU) has urged the State Government to rein in rampant illegal tax collections along NH-2 .
In a press release issued by the publicity cell of DISECTU, the Union stated that an emergency meeting of its executive members and advisors was held on February 8 at its head office at Lairouching to deliberate on "Rampant illegal tax collections along NH-2 on Kangpokpi-Imphal stretch by self-styled groups/miscreants at different locations" .
Stating that the gathering expressed disappointment with the authority concerned over this unchecked issue, DISECTU also conveyed strong opposition to any kind of illegal tax/money collections mushrooming in the backdrop of the ongoing Meitei-Kuki conflict.
The release went on to say that it has learnt from various sources, including drivers, about some self-styled groups/miscreants forcefully demanding and collecting illegal tax/money in the name of "help, donation, conservation, relief, demand slip etc" from almost all the goods laden vehicles at different locations along the NH-2 stretching from Kangpokpi to Imphal.
DISECTU stated that the issue is not only the forceful demand of money but how it poses "a mental torture and unnecessary harassment" particularly to the drivers and the owners who toil day and night to meet the needs of the public.
Adding that the consequences of such detrimental habit will impact the public, DISECTU informed that drivers transporting goods from other States have also started to complain and are reluctant to come to Manipur, thus turning the issue into a grave concern.
As such, DISECTU has urged the State machinery or the authority concerned to look into the situation and identify as well as bring the rampant illegal tax/money collectors under control immediately.