Kohima, March 19 2009: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today informed the State Assembly that the Government and its Law Department is examining on what basis the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) has started levying toll tax and entry free from the goods laden vehicles plying along the National Highway 39 which is the main lifeline of Manipur.

The Chief Minister also informed the House that the Government would come out with a notification to disburse monthly salary to the employees through their respective bank accounts starting from April.

In response to the call attention motions raised by MLAs O Joy and RK Anand of MPP during the Assembly session today, the Chief Minister said that on receipt of information that DMC has started levying took tax and entry free from the goods laden vehicles, Government of Manipur and its Law Department is examining on what basis the taxes are being levied and how it differs from the exiting all India pattern.

After examining the matter, a definite decision would be taken soon, he assured the House.

Expressing apprehension that the tax being levied by DMC may be connected with extortion, the Chief Minister went on to say that if it is being levied on genuine ground then its okay otherwise the issue would be taken up for talks with the Government of Nagaland and the Government of India.

If it is not listened even after the talks, then the matter would be fought out in the law court.

The Chief Minister further said that after a serious deliberation on prevention of taxes being collected illegally by anti-social elements from vehicles and passengers along the National Highway under the National Highway Scheme during the meeting of the Combined Security, a Joint Control Room of the Army, Assam Rifles and Civil Police has been set up and made operational from the headquarters of the 59 Mountain Brigade stationed at Senapati.

As for the extortion activities of the NSCN (IM) which is under peace talks with Govt of India, the Government of Manipur has been discussing the matter seriously with the Centre, the Chief Minister said, adding that as of the Kuki underground organisations which are signatories to the Suspension of Operation, a Joint Monitoring Group has been keeping a close watch over their activities.

Appropriate action would be taken up in case of violating the agreed ground rules, the Chief Minister assured the House.

To prevent extortion/ demand of underground organisations or other anti-social elements from the Government Departments, disbursement of monthly salary of the employees though the cashiers or DDOs concerned would be stopped.

From the month of April, the salary of the employees would be released through their respective bank accounts by issuing a notification in this regard by the Government, the Chief Minister informed the House, while expressing confidence that this step would ensure prevention of money that used to be given to the underground organisations after being deducted from the salary of the employees.

The Chief Minister further said that since the Government has learnt of money being deducted from the contractors at the time of issuing the cheques by the Engineers, the Government is examining whether it would be practical to electronically transfer the cheques from the Department to the contractors themselves instead of allowing the Engineers to issue the cheques.

As it is not known who is controlling the financial matters of the various cells including the TP cell, the Government is also looking into the operation of these cells, the Chief Minister added.

Raising the call attention motion, MLA O Joy pointed out that levying of taxes by the DMC on 45 items even while there is the problem of looting and harassing drivers along the National Highway 39 is not right.

Levying of taxes from vehicles along the National Highways is not done in other Sates and the task of maintenance of the Highways is also that of the Government of India.

Joy demanded to know what information that the Government of Manipur has received with regard to levying taxes by the DMC, what steps have been taken up in this connection and whether the matter has been brought to the notice of the Government of India or not.

MLA Anand observed that the manner of levying taxes illegally by the DMC has led to hike in the prices of commodities in Manipur.

Drawing the attention of the Minister concerned, he also wanted to know whether the prices of the commodities are being controlled or not.

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