Tura MDC flags ‘unlawful’ trading taxes in GHADC, seeks Chief Minister’s intervention

Raising concerns over alleged irregularities in taxation within the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), Meghalaya BJP vice president and Tura MDC Bernard N Marak on Wednesday urged the Chief Minister to intervene in what he described as the imposition of high and illegal taxes on traders by the NPP-led former Executive Committees.
Marak contended that the imposition of Trading for Non-Tribal (TNT) and Tribal Trading License (TTL) taxes by the GHADC’s Taxation Department lacks legal backing in the absence of the Governor’s approval for the revised rates. He pointed out that despite the rates being pending approval, they were enforced on traders who applied for TNT licences, raising questions over procedural compliance and administrative accountability.
Highlighting the issue raised during a Council session, he said it was acknowledged that the proposed rates had been sent for approval, with the Executive Member in charge at the time confirming the same. However, the continued collection of taxes at these unapproved rates, he maintained, renders the levies unjustified and burdensome for traders.
To address the matter, Marak stressed the need for due process to be followed before any taxation is enforced. He further said, “The Executive Members who previously oversaw taxation enforced these unapproved rates on traders who submitted applications for TNT in GHADC. During a session, it was pointed out that the rates were pending approval, and the Executive Member at the time confirmed that they had been sent for approval. Consequently, the high rates imposed on traders are unjustified. To rectify this situation, I suggested that the Council should first obtain approval for the tax rates before proceeding with the imposition of taxes on traders. It is essential for traders to confirm the approved rates prior to making any payments to the Council treasury.”
He also noted that the impact of the unapproved taxation extends beyond non-tribal traders, affecting tribal traders as well. In a related development, Marak said a separate representation had been submitted to the Deputy Chief Executive Member in charge of Taxation, who has assured that the matter would be examined.