Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 283
DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Israel votes in 2nd parliamentary polls
Aston Villa held by 10-man West Ham
Modi gets ‘digital’ gift from BJP on 69th b’day
international, Page 9
sports, Page 12
national, Page 5
Illegal tax collectors thwart PAC drive Staff Reporters
DIMAPUR, Sep 17 (NPN): A positive impact of the Public Action Committee’s (PAC) drive against illegal collections at various check gates on the first day Monday was the drastic drop in prices of some commodities such as potato which came down from Rs.20 per kg to around Rs.8 and Rs.10 per kg. More volunteers turned up to extend cooperation with PAC’s “Operation Check Gate� on Tuesday. PAC functionaries expressed optimism that the continued efforts would result in reduction of prices of many other items such as MS rods, cement and granite and construction materials in the coming days. On Tuesday, there were much less trucks since it being “Vishwakarma Puja� in comparison with the first day. However collectors of some departments were still collecting “royalty tax� over and above the prescribed fee. At Dilai gate, DMC toll collectors, who were supposed to collect Rs. 350 per truck, Rs. 50 for toll and urban utility fees and Rs. 300 for toll and urban utility fees on goods entry, were collecting
DCCF demands shifting of DC office DIMAPUR, SEP 17 (NPN): Diphupar Communities Chairman Forum (DCCF) has urged the state government to expedite the process of shifting the present DC office Dimapur to its new office complex ChĂźmoukedima. In a press release, DCCF convenor Vimhalie Medom and secretary Zuchumo Mozhui pointed out that it has been now a decade or more since land has been procured by the government and necessary infrastructures completed to accommodate the new office. They also said crores of rupees had been spent, but till now the DC office was yet to be shifted to its new complex ChĂźmoukedima. Further, the forum said that the government’s “negligence and weaknessâ€? was holding it back from shifting the office for so long. “It is high time the Govt. put its act together and shifts the DC Office to its new complex at the earliest in the larger interest of the general public and also to save the infrastructures from rusts and ruins in particular,â€? DCCF stated. The forum consist of nine communities -- Ao, Angami, Lotha, Sumi, Chakhesang, Rengma & Pochury, Eastern Naga Public Union Diphupar Area (ENPUDA), Tangkhul and Rongmei.
This is it!
“Bah! Just because potato price came down after PAC drive, must I reduce prices of all vegetables?� K Y M C
PAC volunteers manning the Dillai gate on Tuesday. (NP)
Rs. 1850 to Rs. 2050, as per truck. DMC Superintendent, Ganesh Sharma, who was present at the site maintained that DMC has issued strict and clear instructions to collectors and lease contractors to collect only the prescribed rates as approved by the government. He however added that DMC was in no way involved in the racket for the high rates charged by the lease contractors. Sharma reiterated that any lease contractors involved in overtaxing would face legal action for violation of the contract. This Reporter was told that the DMC lease contractors( DMC fee collectors) charge extra amount in a daily market just some yards beyond Naglaand gate (in Karbi
Anglong) without issuing any challan receipt at the counter. PAC lodged FIR at west Police Station, complaining of higher rates being collected over and above rate fixed by DMC for its lease contractors. PAC identified those involved as - Sanjay, r/o Burma Camp; Arup, r/o, Rail Colony; Inoto, r/o, Sematilla; Okito, r/o, Burma Camp and Hokoho, r/o, Sematilla. Recently posted DMC Administrator Albert Ezung, who was also present at the site, said he was unaware about any extra fee being charged by the DMC leases as he was yet to receive any formal complaint. Ezung however main-
tained that the system of tax collection of DMC was transparent by mentioning that the DMC toll tax signboard, displaying various types and amounts of tax, were put up for public notice which the drivers were to pay accordingly. He maintained that this was the system that was supposed to be followed. On the PAC’s FIR lodged against the DMC leasees, he said the matter was now out of his hand and that competent authority would handle it accordingly. Vice president, NCD and co convenor, PAC, K. Ghokheto Chophy, warned volunteers that none of them had the authority to shut down or stop departments from collecting ‘royalty/ tax’. He said the volunteers were only to top illegal collection of extra money and not to shut down any office. Chophy however reminded that if departments were collecting extra amount, evidence were to be kept and FIR to be lodged. Second day of PAC’s “operation check gate� passed off peacefully without any untoward incidents till the time of filing this report.
PAC press briefing
MUMBAI, SEP 17 (AGENCIES): Spiralling global oil prices sharply drove up the cost of petrol and diesel, and sent Indian market indices tumbling down on Monday. Sensex tanked 642.22 points to end at 36,481.09 and Nifty lost 185.90 points to 10,817.60 points as oil prices rose after drone attacks on two of Saudi Arabia’s major oil ports. After nosediving 704 points, the 30-share index ended 642.22 points, or 1.73 per cent, lower at 36,481.09. The broader NSE Nifty too settled 185.90 points, or 1.69 per cent, down at 10,817.60. On the Sensex chart, losses were mainly driven by Hero MotoCorp, Tata Motors, Axis Bank, Tata Steel, Maruti and SBI—falling as much as 6.19 per cent. Of the 30 scrips of the BSE gauge, HUL, Asian Paints and Infosys were the three gainers. Investors were spooked by geopolitical uncertainties over the Saudi oil turmoil amid reports that higher oil prices were likely to severely hit economic conditions in India, which (Cont’d on p-7) imports more than 70 per
On the second day of the week-long ‘Operation Check Gate’ spearheaded by Public Action Committee (PAC) of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) Tuesday against unauthorised and illegal tax collections, the efforts were hampered due to factors that had not been foreseen. This became evident during the media briefing held by PAC when its Convenor Vekhosayi Nyekha admitted that the ‘tax collectors’ had devised a way by which check points were established along roads within Dimapur in order to avoid check gates manned by PAC volunteers. Further, he disclosed that while the PAC volunteers with police manned the check gates from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. police permitted commercial vehicles to enter Dimapur before 5 a.m. Then later when PAC volunteers began vigil from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., the commercial vehicles were allowed entry after 10 p.m. Nyekha also informed that PAC has been receiving tremendous support and contributions even from other districts.
Govt notifies new rules for BAN proposes centralised foreign funding of NGOs system of tax collection New Delhi, Sep 17 (AGENCIES): The Ministry of Home Affairs has notified new rules for those receiving foreign funding. Now, key functionaries, office bearers and members of NGOs, receiving foreign funds, will have to declare before the government that they were not prosecuted or convicted for converting anyone from one faith to another. The Ministry has announced in a notification that the changes in the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and Rules, 2011 (FCRA), has been made. Any individual receiving a personal gift valued up to Rs 1 lakh need not inform the government about it anymore. Key Highlights • Every member of an NGO must also now, under oath, through an affidavit, certify that they have never been involved in “divertingâ€? foreign funds or propagating “seditionâ€? or “advocating violent meansâ€?. • Earlier, the applicant or director-level person was to given
this declaration but now all members of the NGO need to be given this declaration. • Earlier, as per the market value of the gift item in India was Rs. 25,000, now it has been raised to Rs. one lakh. • If any individual, from NGO, hospitalized during a foreign visit, he/she has to be intimated the government within one month. What is FCRA? Government of India enacted the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) in the year 1976 with an objective of regulating the acceptance and utilization of foreign contribution and foreign hospitality by persons and associations working in the important areas of national life. The act was majorly modified in 2010 with several amendments because many NGOs were found using illegal use of foreign funding. In 2016 license of about 20,000 NGOs were cancelled after reviewing their work.
Global oil prices drive up petrol, diesel; Sensex tumbles
DIMAPUR, SEP 17 (NPN): Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has proposed a centralised tax collection system with online payment facility in the State and suggested the government to authorise a particular department or agency to collect taxes on behalf of various departments. The association in a statement pointed out that developing a centralised tax collection system with online payment facility would not only streamline taxation and ensure that taxes collected reached the State exchequer, but also drastically eliminate unnecessary and multiple taxation by various departments. Further, this would discourage unwanted organisations and associations from collecting taxes, it added. BAN explained that goods-carrying vehicles stopped at various points not only encouraged multiple taxation for the same commodities, but also made it convenient for various unscrupulous individuals and organisations to levy taxes. As currently many taxes were levied by departments at various check points, the association wondered if collection of some of these taxes was legal, especially in the backdrop of GST norms. Moreover, a major part of these collections did not reach the State exchequer, it alleged. Streamlining of taxation system was necessary for development and overall growth of the State’s economy, BAN stressed.
IMPHAL, Sep 17: At least 10 houses were burnt down by armed miscreants at a village in Manipur’s Senapati district, which police have attributed to long existing inter-village land dispute. Irate villagers imposed a snap bandh along the Imphal-Dimapur section of NH-2 forcing hundreds of vehicles to remain stranded. The highway was opened following intervention by state tribal affairs minister. As per reports, armed miscreants suspected to be volunteers of Maram Khullen Circle Union (MKCU) intruded into Makhan Khuman village under Tadubi police station, Senapati district and set afire to houses Tuesday at around 4am. The suspects were armed with sophisticated arms, local reports alleged.
Houses at Makhan Khuman village in Senapati district set afire by armed miscreants on Tuesday. (NP)
Villagers of Maram have been confronted by their neighbouring villages of Makhan over the ownership of lands at the border between the two villages for the last over 40 years and clashes among the villagers were reportedly occasionally. Police as well as local
reports stated that the armed suspects stormed Makhan Khuman village in the early hour and set afire houses in the village. At least 10 houses were razed in the arson, reducing properties worth lakhs of rupees to ashes. After torching the houses, the miscreants also
set fire to a bridge on the highway at Makhan, destroying OFC cables of telecom service. The damage of telecom cables forced the shutdown of services, but was restored later in the afternoon. Angered by burning of the houses, villagers of Makhan villages imposed
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cent of its oil needs, experts said. The attack on the world’s largest oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia has led to a record surge in global crude prices. After soaring as much as 20 per cent to USD 71.95 per barrel on Monday, Brent crude futures corrected slightly to trade at USD 67.97 per barrel on Tuesday. Higher import cost of oil could sharply worsen current account position, compress profit margins and raise inflation, a Nomura report said. Tracking the move-
ment in oil prices, the rupee further depreciated by 37 paise (intra-day) to trade at 71.97 per US dollar. Market participants were also on edge awaiting cues from the upcoming trade talks between China and the US as well as a much-anticipated policy meeting of the Federal Reserve, scheduled to begin later in the day. Elsewhere in Asia, Shanghai Composite Index and Hang Seng ended significantly lower, while Nikkei and Kospi settled in the green.
ZRLWC seeks rly LSC calls for exempting line demarcation CIHSR staff from taxation
KOHIMA, SEP 17 (NPN): Zubza Railway Link Welfare Committee (ZRLWC) has requested the railway authority to give a demarcation point/line at both ends of the breadth for the entire stretch of New Railway BG Line from Dhansiri to Zubza. In a press release, ZRLWC secretary Neidilhoutuo SechĂź appreciated the department for not delaying the compensation to the landowners. However, the committee stated that the landowners were still confused as to how much land the railways have acquired, especially the space covering the breadth. In this regard, the welfare committee has asked the department to give demarcation line as some of the landowners after knowing the breadth wished to carry out their own personal activities in their land that has not been acquired by the department.
10 houses torched in Manipur inter-village land dispute Correspondent
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a total blockade along the highway under the aegis of Makhan People Organisation (MPO). They demanded immediate arrest of the miscreants responsible for burning of the houses. The blockade was, however, suspended after a talk with state tribal affairs N Kayishii who rushed to village. Earlier, the villagers demanded booking of miscreants within 24 hours. In case of failure to arrest the culprits, they threatened to impose an indefinite blockade on the highway. Meanwhile, the home department has deployed one platoon of armed IRB personnel to protect the villagers. Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, who termed the incident as unfortunate, said more forces would be sent if required.
DIMAPUR, SEP 17 (NPN): Local Support Committee (LSC) of Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), Diphupar, Dimapur has appealed to everyone to refrain from demanding tax from the functionary and workers of the hospital. In view of the recent demand for cash from some staff and collecting contact numbers of management’s members, LSC reminded all of the recent agreement and commitment made by various Naga national groups. Instead, committee chairman Rev Dr Phuveyi Dozo, secretary Rev Dr Rabi Pame and member Rev Dr N Toshi Ao, in a joint statement, called for strengthening the institution to promote health welfare of the people. According to LSC, during its initial stage and till its objective was fully understood, CIHSR faced demand for cash and percent deduction from various Naga national groups. But with hope, the committee claimed of having taken initiatives and negotiated with all groups with much prayer. Thanking God and appreciating all groups for understanding the purpose of CIHSR and exempting it from taxation, LSC asserted that the institute would continue its development undisturbed and unhindered. It also acknowledged cooperation of the groups in the journey of the institute founded on Christian principles to help the needy and poor.
ZPO rejects its dissolution by ‘paid gathering of people’
DIMAPUR, SEP 17 (NPN): Sharply reacting to the dissolution of two ZPOs by the general convention of Zeliang people at Jalukie town on September 13, 2019, the Zeliang People’s Organisation (ZPO) Tuesday termed as “simply nothing more than unethical� the statement issued by Tumda Newme and Khenglubo “who respectively are stated to be the sessional chairman and sessional secretary of a paid gathering of people�. In a press release, ZPO president Ramdi Meru and general secretary Kiepeube Zehuny asserted that ZPO was a principled and mandated apex organisation of the Zeliang tribe of Nagaland. They said ZPO has been representing its people in all manners of activities and given due recognition by all tribes and also the government of Nagaland. ZPO said it would continue to represent the Zeliang tribe with all dignity and satisfaction in all platforms even in the days to come. “This right of the ZPO brought into being for sheer selfless sacrifice in the service for the welfare of the Zeliang people is absolute and therefore neither challengeable nor negotiable,� the organisation asserted. According to ZPO, the delusion that the Zeme Council and Liangmai Council could meddle in the affairs of the ZPO, and “imprudently go further� to declare its dissolution was the “pinnacle of absurdity of the outlook of that paid gathering�. ZPO alleged that onus of misleading the two “respectable councils� was entirely attributable to the “wayward� and present executive of the Zeliang Welfare Society (ZWS). The organisation claimed that ZWS was previously constituted by ZPO to look after the management of the Zeliang building in Dimapur, but “have never come back to the terms and language of the ZPO.� Stating that its conviction was upholding the inherent rights and protecting the indigenous Zeliang people of Nagaland, ZPO has, therefore, affirmed that should any further confusion be created in any manner by people of vested interests it would “seek to befittingly address routing a means of serving legal notice to end all menace.� K Y M C