Kohima, Nov 16 (UNI) The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has criticised the State Government on the price rise of motor fuels and asked to rollback  the new tax it had imposed on fuel.
In a release issued by NVCO President Kezhokhoto Savi has pointed that common
people are still suffering with skyrocketing of prices due to COVID-19 cess imposed
on fuel imposed earlier by the Government, but subsequently rolled back.
He said citizens are aware of the State Government’s deficit rising due to COVID-19
pandemic but the State Government do not have an effective mechanism in price
regulation and the Government agencies are poorly performing in price regulation and
therefore, the new hike on petroleum products may not the right way for the State
Government to create revenue on fuel tax totally ignoring public interest.
Mr Savi said the State Government can always save state budget from removing the
non-Government employees enjoying government monthly salary in the status of
Cabinet, PRO, PS, Media Officer, Commissioner & Secretary, Joint or Deputy
Secretary to the Govt. of Nagaland attached to politicians and top offices, non-legislator
holding advisor, party workers and defeated politician holding various chairmanship and
minister status extracting state budget.
Another best means may be clean election, where the political party spending huge
crores of rupees during their campaign for election during State General Assembly
Election and By-Election can be avoided to the extent that political party may stop
deducting commission from developmental project in the name of ‘Party Fund,’ he
said.
The NVCO has also appealed to the State Government to implement Nagaland
Street Vendors’ (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme
and Rules 2019.
Observing the International Street Vendors’ Day at the State Capital on Saturday by
holding an interaction with street vendors, NVCO President remarked that the street
vendors were rarely treated with the same measures of dignity and tolerance.
He alleged that they are targeted by municipalities and police in urban areas as illegal
traders.
However, as per the Act, Mr Savi asserted that the street vendors are entitled for a proper
site or area on relocation, maintenance of cleanliness and public hygiene, maintenance
of civic amenities in vending zone in good condition.
UNI AS BM