It is with grave concern that the Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has received the order of the Government of Nagaland levying a Covid-19 Cess of Rs. 6.00 and Rs.5.00 per litre of Petrol and Diesel respectively. We also came to know through national media that Nagaland is the only state to levy such a cess in this manner. The announcement came as a shock as the entire world is witnessing a drastic reduction in the international price of crude oil and everyone was expecting a reciprocal reduction in the price of fuel.
It does not require rocket science technology to foresee the negative impact that would have on the economy of the state. The unprecedented enhancement on the fuel price will have cascading impact on all walks of life, primarily on the economic enterprises of the state. Moreover, with the consequent increase in the freight charges as also the agricultural production cost, the livelihoods of the citizens, particularly the rural masses will be drastically affected.
Being a responsible business association that has the mandate of all the local businesspersons of the state, BAN is well aware of the financial stress that the state government is encountering due to the threat of Covid-19 and the subsequent lightning lockdown. It is with this in mind that the Association had approached the Hon’ble Chief Minister for a virtual dialogue with the participation all stakeholders with the intention of providing constructive inputs to salvage the entire state out of this tragedy. However, we are yet to receive and acknowledgement of the receipt of our request, let alone an opportunity to interact with the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the government machinery. Left with no other option, BAN is left compelled to appeal to the Hon’ble Chief Minister to roll back the levying of the Cess with immediate effect. We expect that the government will act responsibly taking into account the predicament of the business community at large.
