SHILLONG, May 12: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has attributed the price rise of snacks in Tura to the alleged illegal taxation on non-tribals.
BJP leader and Tura MDC Bernard Marak, while elucidating his contention, alleged that the non-tribal traders are coerced into paying exorbitant tax to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) while acquiring Trading by Non-Tribals (TNT) licenses.
The rates imposed by GHADC are not approved by the Governor and proposed rates have failed to prevail; yet the present Executive Committee in GHADC continues to force the illegal tax on the non-tribals, Marak rued.
Arguing that the traders might have increased the rates of snacks to attract attention of the administration, the BJP MDC from Tura said that various forms of rents have seen a threefold increase since last month.
It is pertinent to note that the MDC, taking note of The Shillong Times report, held interactions with traders only to discern that the GHADC has reportedly raised the room rents from Rs 1,600 to Rs 5,000 and Tura Municipality have raised taxes on charges for parking as well as garbage collections.
“Unjustified treatment of traders, especially the non-tribals, has affected trading in Tura,” he said, adding that some anti-social elements demanding money as tax continue to hamper the peaceful atmosphere in the market.
It may be mentioned that the prices of snacks have skyrocketed in Tura, much to the dismay of locals.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, had also assured to look into the matter and call for a review.
