This issue 12 + 4 = 16 Pages @ ` 4.00
Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVII No. 337
DIMAPUR, saturday, november 11, 2017 Pages 16 ` 4.00
Won’t allow BJP to impose Gabbar Singh Tax: Rahul Gandhi
Switzerland on top after 1-0 win against N Ireland
Trump talks tough on trade at APEC Summit in Vietnam
national, Page 12
sports, Page 16
international, Page 9
GST Council slashes tax rates on 178 items
GUWAHATI, NOV 10 (AGENCIES): Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on Friday decided to reduce tax rate on a wide range of mass use items — from chewing gums to detergents— to 18% from current 28%, Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said. The all-powerful council pruned the list of items attracting the top 28% tax rate to just 50 from 227 previously, Modi told reporters here. In effect, the council, in its 23rd meet Friday, cut rates on 178 goods. Facing intense heat from opposition-ruled states over keeping mass used goods in the 28 % bracket which was meant for luxury and de-merit goods, the Council pruned the list to 50 as against 62 that was recommended by its fitment committee. The GST Council— the apex body for decision making headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has decided to keep only 50 luxury and ‘sin’ goods like tobacco in the highest slab, paving the way for price cuts in raft of commonly used goods from furniture to sanitary ware, electrical
NHM employees begin pen-down stir D I M A P U R , N OV 1 0 (NPN): Aggrieved employees under National Health Mission (NHM) Nagaland Friday began pen-down strike after it failed to receive any assurance from the state government to release their pending salaries. Aggrieved NHM employees cautioned that state government’s failure to comply with its demands would lead to total cessation of work from November 17. They said mission director NHM had sent a communiqué requesting postponement of the strike, but no commitment was mentioned. Therefore, the employees said they were left with no option but to begin the strike till the state government immediately releases the fund and also give written assurance on the same on or before November 17.
NP Kohima office shifted This is for information to all that the office of the Nagaland Post, Kohima has been shifted to Razhu Point, above Vijaya Bank Ltd (2nd Floor). All interested are hereby informed about the change of location. Kohima Bureau
This is it!
“Uncertainty in Nagaland is such that even talking about politics has become uncertain.” K Y M C
fittings, detergents, marble flooring and toiletries Except for white goods, some auto parts, aircraft parts, yatch-related products, cement, paint and some other products, the GST rate on all other items have been placed in a lower slab. The GST rate on two items— wet grinders, armoured fighting vehicles— have been cut from 28 to 12 percent. Taxes on six items have been cut from 18 to 5 percent, in eight items from 12 to 5 percent and from 5 to zero percent in six items. The council also sim-
plified procedures, and several changes to make the ‘Composition Scheme’ more attractive. The GST Council — the apex body for decision making headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also decided to impose a uniform GST rate of 5 percent across all categories of standalone restaurants — air-conditioned and nonair-conditioned — but withdraw the benefits of input tax credit (ITC) from such businesses. Jaitley said that the council has noted that no restaurants were passing
on the benefits of ITC to customers and had linearly raised their meal rates after GST became effective from July 1. Input credit means at the time of paying tax on output, a producer, trader or service provider can reduce the tax already paid on inputs. “The council noted that, after GST restaurants did not pass it on to customers. GST was being charged on existing meal rates,” Jaitley said, obliquely hinting that the government would not hesitate to invoke the anti-profiteering clause and clamp down on business found to be not passing on the benefits to customers. “The GST rate for all restaurants, AC and nonAC, irrespective of turnover, will now be 5 percent,” Jaitley said. “Since they did not pass on benefits, no restaurants will be eligible for ITC henceforth,” he said. Restaurants in starred hotels and outdoor catering services will attract a GST of 18 percent along with ITC benefits. Jaitley also said that the annual turnover threshold on the composition scheme will be raised from
Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore. This will be done after the law is amended to raise the turnover ceiling for eligibility of composition. “The law will be amended to raise the ceiling to Rs 2 crore. The limit will be raised immediately after the law amended to Rs 1.5 crore,” finance secretary Hasmukh Adhia said. Under the scheme, traders, manufacturers and restaurants can pay tax at 1, 2 and 5 percent, respectively. Adhia said that the council has also decided to fix a uniform rate of 1 percent for traders and manufacturers. The move to widen the turnover threshold is aimed at easing the compliance burden for taxpayers as they will have to file returns only once in a quarter as against monthly returns that needs to be filed by other normal taxpayers. However, dealers cannot avail input tax credit, unlike a normal taxpayer. Also, traders availing the composition scheme on goods, who also provide small services upto Rs 5 lakh annually, will not be considered ineligible for the scheme.
Neiphiu Rio harps on peace and unity to solve problems
D I M A P U R , N OV 1 0 (NPN): Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio on Friday called upon the people to work for peace and unity by setting aside all individual interest in order to facilitate solution, development, employment in the state, a press note from PS to MP stated. Addressing the inaugural programme of Totok Omlen Village in Mon, Rio said “when there is peace and unity, our problems can be solved.” While congratulating the people of Totok Omlen on being recognized as a village by the government, Rio also hailed the Konyaks of being the largest Naga tribe inhabiting Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. He stressed on the importance of unity and urged them to be an example to other Naga tribes. Though people of the area were lacking in education and development, Rio however said “as people, you are not backward but at par with any other Naga tribe.” Rio expressed concern about the Human Development reports of the (Cont’d on p-8) district which recorded the
Neiphiu Rio
lowest literacy rate at 57 %, lowest per capita income and lowest life expectancy rate at 75 years on average. Stating that 70% of Nagaland’s population was still rural, Rio challenged the Konyak Union, the gazetted officers, the various unions and the people to establish urban towns and cities in the plain areas of the district like Tizit in order to be more accessible and boost their economy. Rio informed that the Railway line from Dimapur to Tizit and further on to Arunachal Pradesh had been approved while a four-lane expressway along the same route was in the offing. On the occasion, Rio donated an ambulance-- in line with his gesture of donating an ambulance each to all the tribes of East-
ern Nagaland, which was handed over to the district administration. While suggesting Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK) or Konyak Mothers’ Association to manage the ambulance service, he however called upon Konyak Union and its frontal organisations to discuss and finalise the same with the district administration. Adviser, DUDA and NEPED, S. Pangnyu Phom also spoke on the occasion. Affirming that Phoms and Konyaks were not different from each other, Pangnyu called upon the people of the village to remember all those who were instrumental in establishing and getting the village recognized. He expressed gratitude to the chief minister and the cabinet for approving the recognition of Totok Omlen. Earlier, the chief guest inspected the guard of honour by the Village Guards and then dedicated the commemorative plaque by cutting the ceremonial ribbon. Host of tribal leaders including parliamentary secretaries and government officials attended the programme.
Sept 18 case: PAC demands Court rejects plea to declare Day 2 of ENCSU’s black-badge campaign public apology from NSCN (K) Hindus as minority in 8 states DIMAPUR, NOV 10 (NPN): In connection with the alleged attempt on the life of L Doulo, proprietor of Kuda Cold Storage in Dimapur on September 18 last, the Public Action Committee, Naga Council Dimapur (PAC, NCD) has declared to not extend moral and other supports to the NSCN (K) till the group openly apologize to the public and “discipline their cadres who have damaged the image of NSCN (K).” In a press release, PAC, NCD convenor, Vekhosayi Nyekha, and co-convenor, K Ghokheto Chophy, strongly condemned the NSCN (K) press statement published on October 28, 2017, “wherein the NSCN (K) denied their involvement in the murder attempt of Duolo, proprietor of Kuda Cold Storage on September 18, 2017 by their cadre SS captain Akheto Chopy and was justified by one Kumtsa official of NSCN (K).” PAC stated that the Naga public was shocked to read the
justification of murder attempt. It stated that “two criminals of the NSCN (K)” were arrested by efficient and capable Dimapur police on October 24, 2017, but the NSCN (K) publicly denied their involvement. “We the Naga people of Dimapur feel that lies and manipulations are demeaning the good stature of the NSCN (K) on one hand while on the other hand, we cannot allow the Naga people to be taken for a ride with lies and justifying the wrong. We condemn it,” PAC stated. Meanwhile, PAC has cautioned that “should any harm happen to Duolo again, the Naga public would not take it lying down.” It said that Naga public not only condemned the murder attempt and the easy and convenient justification of the criminal act, but also refused to be cowed down by bullets and criminals. “We shall build the Naga nation by fighting against rogue elements in our national struggles,” PAC stated.
NEW DELHI, NOV 10 (AGENCIES): Supreme Court on Friday rejected to hear the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking minority status for Hindus in several states and union territories including the North Eastern states. A bench headed by Justice Gogoi said that National Commission for Minorities will decide on the matter and had asked the petitioner to approach them, reports The Times of India. The PIL was filed by a Delhi BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. The petitioner sought minority status for Hindus living in Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Punjab, Lakshwadeep, Nagaland and Mizoram, claiming that “the minority rights of the Hindus were being siphoned off illegally and arbitrarily to the majority population”. As per a 1993 notification by the Centre, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis were granted minority status in India and Jains were added in the list in 2014. Citing the 2011 Census, the petitioner said that Hindus were minority in eight states-Lakshadweep (2.5%), Mizoram (2.75%), Nagaland (8.75%), Meghalaya (11.53%), J&K (28.44%), Arunachal Pradesh (29%), Manipur (31.39%) and Punjab (38.40%).
DIMAPUR, NOV 10 (NPN): Day-2 of the black-badge campaign launched by Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU) culminated peacefully on Friday with students taking part in large numbers to express strong resentment against the state government and Higher Education department for not disbursing full scholarship on time. A statement issued by ENCSU said the Government of Nagaland and Higher Education department had teased the patience of the student community of Nagaland and now it was time for students to retaliate accordingly. “If the Government and the Department can’t even spare the Students scholarship than the hope for fairness in other public welfare scheme doesn’t arise,” the statement read. ENCSU asked the department to refrain from acting clean on the issue and rather tell the truth and resolve the matter once and for all by producing proper evidence papers to validate its claim. Meanwhile, the Union has decided to launch poster campaign across the State from Monday as part of its second phase of protest on the issue. Reiterating that wearing of black badges would continue until justice was delivered, ENCSU also urged all Naga students to extend full support and cooperation to the stir. It also asked its federating
Students during the ‘black badge’ campaign.
units to strictly comply with its directive. ENCSU also call upon all studentsbased organisations to join the ongoing protest so that “we don’t compromise with our rights and welfare”. On the other hand, ENCSU has convened an emergency meeting at DUDA Guest House, Kohima at 1 pm on Saturday. In a statement, ENCSU general secretary Wangnei C Jessuhu and information and press secretary Shangti Konyak have urged all college representatives, KENSU, DENSU and well wishers to attend the meeting positively.
Steps taken to uplift cooperative movement: Imtilemba NSCN (I-M) meets Naga leaders from Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, NOV 10 (NPN): Minister of cooperation, relief & rehabilitation and MARCOFED, Imtilemba Sangtam, on Friday said that the state government has taken various steps to uplift the cooperative movement in the state such as enactment of Nagaland Cooperative Societies Act and Rules and passing of cabinet resolution for deposit of all VDB fund with the Nagaland State Co-operative Bank (NStCB) Limited. Addressing the Golden Jubilee Celebration programme of the NStCB Ltd. at Dimapur Government College (DGC) auditorium here, the minister pointed out that all the state government departments have also been advised to open salary accounts of their employees with the New State Cooperative Bank since the bank was on CBS platform and could offer service on a par with other banks.
Imtilemba Sangtam flagging off the first mobile ATM. (NP)
As part of its initiative to uplift the cooperative development credit movement in the state, the minister announced that the state government would be implementing the Integrated Cooperative Development Projects (ICDPs) in five districts – Kohima, Peren, Tuensang, Kiphire and Longleng – with NStCB Ltd. as Project Implementing Agency (PIA). “Affiliated cooperative societies of the bank may reap
the benefits of the project for economic development of the members of those cooperative societies subject to condition that they are not defaulters to the bank and the government,” Imtilemba said. The minister stated that the state government being the major stakeholder in the bank has stood with the bank during all times. As per the stipulation of regulatory authority and in order to elevate the CRAR
of the bank, Imtilemba said the state government as per exigency had also infused additional share capitals during 2005 and 2013 to the tune of Rs. 33 crore. He highlighted that the bank was conceived with the twin objectives of putting in place a banking system that encompasses the co-operative principles and also a financial system that has been friendly to the customs and traditions of the people of Nagaland. Since its inception, the minister said the bank has catered to the needs of the people and also playing a pivotal role for the economic development of the scheduled tribes of Nagaland and their entities by undertaking various schemes for the downtrodden sponsored by the central government, NABARD and state government. In its 50th year, Imtilemba said the Nagaland state cooperative bank has been successful in establishing itself
Rengma Naga Hills and Karbi Anglong
DIMAPUR, NOV 10 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) leaders on Friday held an “intensive consultative meeting” with gaonburas and Naga public leaders from Rengma Naga Hills and Karbi Anglong, Assam at its headquarters in Hebron, to brief them about the ongoing dialogue with Centre. Informing this through a press note, NSCN (I-M) MIP said the meeting was led by NSCN (I-M) kilo kilonser, Hukavi Yepthomi and political commissar, ‘lt. gen.’ Ningkhan Shimray. The meeting was also attended by a host of senior GPRN leaders including steering committee members, kilonsers, deputy kilonsers, cabinet secretary, kilo secretary and staff from the GPRN secretariats. During the meeting, the NSCN (I-M) leaders stressed on the need for active participation of the public leaders, saying it was “the need of the hour”. The NSCN (I-M) leaders stated at the meeting that the Framework Agreement signed between NSCN (I-M) and Government of India on (Cont’d on p-8) August 3, 2015 was the highway for
complete independence of the Nagas, wherein the unique history and the legitimate rights of the Nagas had been firmly asserted and recognised to be the basis for political solution. On their part, the public leaders acknowledged the dynamic political leadership of NSCN (I-M) in signing the Framework Agreement, even as they also strongly reiterated the urgent need for restoration of encroached land of Nagas in Assam to them in the event of a final solution to the vexed Naga political issue, the statement added. According to the statement, the public leaders also affirmed their support to the Framework Agreement and the leadership of NSCN (I-M). The meeting was chaired by kilo secretary, M Daniel Lotha and invocation pronounced by James Rengma (pastor). The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Tennyson Rengma, tatar, and benediction by by Kesenga Rengma, president of Western Rengma Baptist Association. K Y M C