DIMAPUR, April 27 (Newmai News Network): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT), Nagaland has said today that the long practice of Nagaland government departments deducting the salaries of its employees for the so-called welfare of the Naga underground groups is illegal, arbitrary, an open practice of corruption and in total violation of government service rules. ACAUT Nagaland also said that no government departments are authorised to deduct the salary of its employees for payment to any individual or organisation. There is no standing government order to such effect and therefore any departmental official carrying out such illegal activities is a serious offence and criminal charges are liable to be framed against such officials, ACAUT Nagaland added.
It then said the state government of Nagaland is a different entity and the `Naga political movement` is a separate issue. “Therefore, the erring HoDs and DDOs (government departments) shall be held fully responsible for such extra-constitutional acts and prosecuted,” ACAUT Nagaland cautions.
It then alleged that at a time when the cry is for reconciliation and peace, the Nagaland government departments are directly encouraging factionalism in the movement by doling out money to all the Naga underground factions through illegal means and such action is deemed anti-Naga.
ACAUT Nagaland asserted that it is taking up this issue on behalf of affected government servants.
“Henceforth, government employees are requested to report unauthorised deduction of salaries to the office of the ACAUT Nagaland,” it urged.
It can be noted here that the lobby against rampant imposition of underground tax on people as well as the numurous illegal tax by Nagaland Government has now become a state-wide movement initiated by ACAUT Nagaland.
Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) is no longer just confine to Dimapur alone. After re-christening as “ACAUT Nagaland” the leaders spearheading the movement are now travelling to every corner of Nagaland including colleges and other institutions as awareness campaign and also to garner support to the movement.
It can be mentioned here that ACAUT was formed early 2013 to check the rampant imposition of illegal tax on the people especially the business community by various organisations particularly the Naga underground outfits.
Three days ago, the rising cases of hurling grenades at the civilians or business establishments in the Nagaland commercial hub Dimapur had prompted Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland to question the Nagaland Government and the Naga underground organisations as to whether these incidents should be viewed as political problem or law and order problem.