Dimapur Naga Students' Union urges Govt to immediately reconsider "Covid-19 cess" on fuel prices

The Covid-19 cess was brought into effect on April 28 by the Nagaland Government to raise money for the Covid-19 battle
File Image: Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio
File Image: Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio

Guwahati: Voicing against the imposition of a Covid-19 cess that came into effect in April, the Dimapur Naga Students' Union on Thursday urged the Government of Nagaland to reconsider the move.

The student body, in a statement, opined that the extra amount of Rs 5 on diesel and Rs 6 on petrol per litre imposed as Covid-19 cess to meet the financial exigencies "is excessive".

"Due to the outbreak of Covid-19 and the nationwide lockdown the people of Nagaland both in the rural and urban areas are facing undue economic and livelihood crisis, for which it is the prime bounded duty of the Government of Nagaland to understand and restore the economy of the people. However, the policy of the Covid-19 cess on fuel which began on April 28 midnight has caused a miserable condition to the people", the DNSU claimed in its communique.

The union, in its communique, urged the Government for "immediate reconsideration" of the Covid-19 cess on fuel "with immediate effect without delay". The DNSU, seeking "transparency" from the Government, also urged for the declaration of the overall amount of money that has been generated to date due to the Covid-19 cess and make it public.

It needs mention here that from midnight of April 28 onwards, the Neiphiu Rio-led Nagaland administration started charging a 'Covid-19 Cess' on diesel, petrol and other motor spirits, in addition to the existing rate of tax and cess. As per a notification issued by Additional Chief Secretary and Finance commissioner Sentiyanger Imchen, the government is charging a cess of Rs 5 of per litre on diesel and Rs 6 on petrol and motor spirits.

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